Why I'm gonna vote against this impending teacher's strike

I'm a leftie in every way, and I hate the conservatives just as much as the next teacher. I love my union, think my dues are worth it, and have been a strong advocate for getting kids back in school since last May. I'm no strike breaker.<br><br><br>However, our union is going to vote to strike and I'm going to vote "no". The reason? The conservatives have been trying to take away our right to strike for a while, and if we do this, we'll be giving them the ammo they need, and we'll never be able to strike again. A strike would be giving them exactly what they want: a reason to end our ability to negotiate. If we go on strike, even if we get the concessions we want, we will lose all bargaining power forever.<br><br><br>We're better off signing the shit contract we're being offered and waiting for the next round of agreements in two years. The conservatives won't be in power forever.<br><br><br>And no, I don't think the public will side with us. I think we'll alienate a lot of the public support we currently have with a full blown strike.