Shawn L. Bird

I will fight for what’s right.

I will demand my government obeys the law.

I will fight for what’s right.

I will stand in defence of contracts illegally torn.

I will fight for what’s right.

I will not blink when it threatens

I will fight for what’s right.

I will shout about injustice and lies

I will fight for what’s right.

I will shame them before the world.

I will fight for what’s right.

I will hold the line.

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Our British Columbia government illegally tore up our contracts in 2002 when our current premier was Minister of Education.  We have fought for the last 12 years against this injustice.  Two provincial Supreme Court decisions ruled against the government, stating that they violated the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.  The decision demanded the government reimburse us for what they took away.  As well, the United Nation’s International Labour Organization ruled against their flouting of treaties and international agreements.  We are on strike because a government that acts illegally must be held to account.

The most recent Supreme Court ruling was in February, 2014.  You can read the ruling here.  You will see constant references to how the government bargained in bad faith, provoked strikes, and acted illegally.  They are still behaving the same way, so we are fighting to preserve fair bargaining for all working people, because if they destroy us, they will destroy every union in the province.   You should care about this.  You should care a lot.