Thousands of teachers and supporters rallied in front of the legislative building in Regina in April. (980 CJME file photo)

By CKOM News

TEACHER'S STRIKE

Sask. teachers to hold single-day strike on Tuesday

Jan 11, 2024 | 11:02 AM

Saskatchewan teachers will hold a single-day strike on Tuesday.

Samantha Becotte, president of the Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation (STF), announced during a virtual news conference Thursday morning.

Federation members voted overwhelmingly in favour of sanctions in October, and with contract talks stalled, the union said last month that sanctions were “virtually inevitable.” The union also assured parents and caregivers that at least 48 hours notice would be given in advance of any job action.

The union said five days’ notice was given for the single-day strike in order to allow families more time to prepare, and to give the government a final chance.

“Should the government change course and allow their negotiating committee to bargain on critical issues impacting students and raising serious concerns among teachers and parents, the countdown will be stopped, and committees can return to the bargaining table,” the union said in a statement.

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Negotiations between the union and provincial government have been at an impasse for some time, with teachers pushing for a new collective bargaining agreement to include stipulations on class sizes and classroom complexity.

Becotte said the union is trying every option to get back to bargaining.

“The last thing any teacher wants is for negotiations to impact the school year, so we are exhausting every possible option to get government back to the table,” Becotte said in a statement.

“At every turn, teachers have said that committees are getting us nowhere on these urgent issues, and a new deal must include items to address class size and complexity. Government remains intransigent, even after conciliation. This is not bargaining; they are making decisions based on politics and student learning is suffering for it.”

The union said additional job action will follow the one-day strike if the government continues to refuse to negotiate on those issues.

Becotte noted that a recent report from the conciliation board acknowledged that teachers have a right to negotiate classroom complexity, though it wasn’t an official recommendation from the board.

The federation president called for support as members begin job action.

“Teachers and parents are united in wanting the best for their kids,” Becotte added.

“This is a fight for the future of publicly funded education in Saskatchewan, and schools need the support of our communities. I encourage everyone across the province to reach out to your neighbours and friends, contact your elected officials, and let them know that the students of this province deserve a government that will provide them with the resources they desperately need.”

Jeremy Cockrill, Saskatchewan’s education minister, acknowledged the challenges around large, complex classes, but said those issues are best left to local school divisions to manage.

The minister also pointed to a pilot program announced this week aiming to reduce disruptive behaviour in classrooms.

The province, Cockrill said, is offering teachers a seven per cent pay bump over three years. The government launched an advertising campaign last summer saying the average teacher in Saskatchewan earns $92,000 per year, which is higher than the average in Western Canada. Becotte labelled that campaign misleading and said it shifted the tone of negotiations.