Teachers in Nelson

Herb Couch (teacher) [00:00:00] Well in Nelson, I think we were like teachers throughout the province. We’d had enough. Enough was enough, but we were nervous about going out on a job action. Well, going out in solidarity with Operation Solidarity, we were nervous, but we knew we had to do it. We wondered about other locals, and if the BCTF would stick together, and teachers were worried about getting fired, they were nervous. But we stuck together and when we went out, we had no one that went to work that day, we shut it down in Nelson like teachers did everywhere. I remember early that morning, I was at the Nelson District Teachers Association office and when we got a message from Peace River South that all their teachers were out walking down Main Street in 40 below weather, our spirits just rose; because we knew if Peace River South is doing it, we can do it, and that we’re going to stick together and the government’s not going to mess with us, and we’re making our point. And I was so proud of the teachers in Nelson and everywhere for sticking up for our democratic rights during Operation Solidarity.