Prince George, B.C. – Local union leaders addressed the Prince George School Board tonight during its inaugural meeting.

First vice-president Richard Giroday of the Prince George & District Teachers Association told the board he was speaking on behalf of his four grandchildren.

He told the Board it’s important that voices are heard when it comes to the need for properly funded public education and called for a revolution, the need for change and united voices in speaking up for proper funding.

President Tina Cousins called the strike “agonizing,” and one that came at “huge financial costs.”

She agreed revolutions are never quiet and brought a casserole bowl and banged it with a spoon to hammer home her point.

Cousins says 12 years of underfunding draws noise and reminded the board it’s not a strongly worded letter or a tweet that creates change.

She says teachers and students may be back at school but says things will not be the same and they won’t be quiet in calling for adequate funding.

She also thanked unions, including CUPE local 3742 for “having their backs.”

President Karen Wong expressed her happiness with their newly ratified five year deal but also reminded the board that though they are happy with the deal they received, that provincially, districts are still drastically underfunded.