CrossIron Mills Under Armour sign leaves teachers upset

CALGARY (CityNews) – A discount for frontline workers, but if you’re a teacher, apparently you don’t count.

That’s how one Alberta teacher felt when she walked into an Under Armour store over the weekend at CrossIron Mills north of Calgary.

In photos posted to social media, the word teacher is scratched out in black permanent marker from all signs promoting a discount for frontline workers.

https://www.facebook.com/jessica.kimberly.112/posts/10164143513960022

CityNews reached out to the woman who made the Facebook post, who asked not to go on camera.

She said when she approached an employee, she was told the store was sent a list of who is eligible and teachers didn’t make the cut.

“Frankly teachers are feeling pretty anxious right now. They’re feeling overwhelmed and they’re feeling vulnerable,” said Jonathan Teghtmeyer with the Alberta Teachers’ Association (ATA).

The ATA said teachers see themselves as frontline workers, vulnerable to COVID-19 where physical distancing and small cohorts is difficult.

On Under Armour’s Canadian website, there’s no mention of teachers included in the discount but on the American site, it says teachers and educators are eligible for a 20 per cent discount.

“I don’t know why Under Armour would consider teachers in America versus teachers in Canada to be under a different set of circumstances,” said Teghtmeyer. “Right now teachers are in classrooms when there are too often 30 plus students, some cases 40. they would just want to have a bit more support for the work they’re doing.”

In a statement to CityNews, Under Armour said “we proudly provide an ongoing discount for military, first responders and healthcare workers, teachers and educators. We were informed earlier today that the store signage at our CrossIron Mills Under Armour factory house was altered and displayed, which provided conflicting information. We have addressed the error and apologize for the miscommunication.”

For the teacher who found the sign, she said she isn’t interested in getting the discount but was just surprised to see it scratched out saying on Facebook, “it’s fine if you don’t consider us (teachers) front line, but to cross it out with a sharpie, is just not classy.”