A lesson in sentence variety / what really bored teachers do

I am on "strike watch"...

Several times daily I find myself compelled to go to the VSB site, the BCTF site, or VESTA's page to find out if there are any updates about the BC Teachers Federation "wildcat strike".

Interestingly, the site with the most up-to-date information is not the BCTF site, but the Vancouver School Board website (and even they are usually a day behind).

Since it appears that for now the parties involved are at an impasse, I have been keeping myself amused by admiring the many ways that the VSB has found to write their "update" without ever repeating themselves.

Observe, please, the opening line of each day's Job Action Update below. (They actually write a whole paragraph each time, but I'm sure nobody else pays any more attention to it than I have - BC students only want to know when they'll have to actually do that homework assignment!)

JOB ACTION UPDATE

Friday, Sept. 23, 2005

Vancouver teachers will be staging limited job action for the next two weeks by withdrawing from supervisory duties.

Monday, Sept. 26, 2005

The initial phase of teachers' job action will begin Wednesday with the withdrawal of supervisory work.

Wednesday, Sept. 28, 2005

All Vancouver schools are open as usual today as teachers begin the first phase of their job action by withdrawing from supervisory duties.

Friday, Sept. 30, 2005

All schools remain open as the first phase of teachers' job action continues. Vancouver School Board (VSB) management is providing the supervision that has been withdrawn by teachers.

Monday, Oct. 3, 2005

The provincial government has introduced legislation that, when passed, would extend the current teachers' contract to June, 2006. It is uncertain when the legislation will become law. Until then, it is anticipated that teachers will continue the job action they started last week.

Wednesday, Oct. 5, 2005

This evening, teachers announced plans to launch full-scale job action beginning Friday, Oct. 7.

Thursday, Oct. 6, 2005

Vancouver teachers will not be reporting for duty Friday, October 7 ...

Friday, Oct. 7, 2005

Teachers are on strike.

Monday, Oct. 10, 2005

Teachers are continuing their strike, following a B.C. Supreme Court ruling that they are in contempt of court.

Tuesday, Oct. 11, 2005

The teachers' strike continues.

Wednesday, Oct, 12, 2005

Teachers around B.C. remain off the job ...