Two New Westminster Secondary School students were out demonstrating along with teachers on Tuesday afternoon.
The pair said they had been there since Monday and planned to come back today to show their support for the teachers' job action.
Instead of relaxing on their three-day break, Grade 12 students Ian Walston and Seokhee Jang were waving protest signs on the corner of 10th Avenue and Sixth Street.
"Teachers are standing up not only for themselves, but for us as well," said Walston, who carried a large orange sign and wore a "support the teachers" pin. "It would be kind of stupid to not stand up for them as well."
"I personally believe it's their only way of protesting against what the government is doing to them," Jang said about the strike. "All I want is for people to form an opinion and not be apathetic."
Around the corner, in the front of the high school, there was a crowd of about 12 teachers. Motorists passed by and routinely honked, showing their support.
NWSS teacher Jim Robson was among the group. He said there is more support this time around than the last time teachers went on strike in 2005.
"I think people are tired of being abused, and they have kids in the school," he said about the increased sense of public support. "We do a good job of teaching those kids, and they are happy to be there."
The union and government were able to resolve the last labour dispute because an independent mediator intervened, he said.
"There was an independent mediator, not one appointed by the Ministry of Education," Robson said.
The "net-zero" wage mandate that has been one of the sticking points between the British Columbia Teachers' Federation and the provincial government isn't the critical issue for Robson.
"Personally, I think it's about losing professional development, losing your right for seniority, losing your collective bargaining rights," he said.
The three-day teachers' strike ends today, but the labour dispute between teachers and the provincial government is dragging on with no word yet on what will happen next.
"Nobody knows what's going to go on beyond Thursday," Robson said.
The Labour Relations Board is allowing the union to stage a full walkout one day per week, following the initial three-day strike. The Liberal government's legislation - called Bill 22 - would make any strike by teachers illegal and impose hefty fines if they do.
The union said that Bill 22 seeks to impose a net-zero contract, to restrict the ability to negotiate improved learning conditions and to eliminate fundamental civil and labour rights for teachers.
The bill has passed first reading in the legislature, and Education Minister George Abbott is expecting a full debate on it.
"Last week, I introduced Bill 22, which sets a cooling-off period and suspends the teachers' union strike action while calling on the assistance of a mediator. It also implements the $165-million Learning Improvement Fund and other measures that will play a fundamental role in the future of education in our province," he said in a media release.
"Unfortunately, before Bill 22 was even tabled, the British Columbia Teachers' Federation was moving to escalate their strike. The union has since ramped up the rhetoric and distorted what Bill 22 seeks to accomplish," he said.
"A clear example is their claim that Bill 22 strips seniority rights from teachers. - Bill 22 does not change current seniority provisions, and it does not strip teachers of seniority rights. Seniority will continue to be an important factor in filling teaching positions."
The bill includes a "cooling-off period" and calls for a government-appointed mediator to step in.
It does not impose a new contract, but teachers would be forced to work under their old agreement during the mediation period, with the goal of reaching a settlement by summer. If no agreement is reached, a mediator will issue a report by June 30 with non-binding recommendations.
Teachers should be back in the classroom on Thursday.
They could walk off the job for another day next week but haven't decided yet and would need to give two days' notice.
Spring break in New Westminster runs from March 19 to 23.
The B.C. Teachers' Federation is holding its annual general meeting March 17 to 20 in Vancouver. The union would have to hold another membership vote to have an illegal strike.
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