Both current, and retired teachers and administrators gathered outside the Terrace Sportsplex today to honour the Terrace Teachers’ Strike of 1981.
The gathering took place around one of 19 BC Labour Heritage plaques being placed to commemorate the achievements of workers in BC.
According to current Terrace Teachers Union President Mike Wen, the strike was instrumental in improving teachers’ negotiating rights.
The strike took place a full 6 years before teachers earned the right to strike.
Background
In protest of the board’s treatment of its members, Terrace teachers staged a one-day walk out on May 6th of 1981 led by then-President Wayne Wyatt.
Members of the Terrace District Teachers’ Association were spurred to participate in the walkout following the forced transfer and demotion of two popular principles.
It wasn’t until June 12th of the same year that the Association would begin a 6 day strike which would ultimately transform the union.
The Terrace Teachers’ Strike of 1981 ultimately won them a personnel practices agreement that would become a defining factor in the BC Teachers’ Federation’s fight for full bargaining rights.
