Teachers on strike in Melfort. (Gabby Shukin)

By Jaryn Vecchio

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Northeast teachers take part in second one-day strike

Jan 22, 2024 | 1:00 PM

There’s a good chance parents and guardians in Melfort saw local teachers walking around outside this morning.

That’s because they’re taking part in the second one-day strike organized by the Saskatchewan Teacher’s Federation (STF) over a lack of progress in negotiations with the Sask. Party.

Rallies were held across Saskatchewan with thousands of teachers braving the cold in hopes of sharing their message with the provincial government.

“Teachers are ready to go on strike as long as it takes to get the government to come to the table with the support our students need and our students deserve,” said Dave Rogers, president of the North East Teachers’ Association.

While wages are a major discussion point, the STF wants to also include class size and complexity in the negotiations. However, the province remains adamant that this won’t happen. Education Minister Jeremy Cockrill has said these two issues should instead be discussed with school boards and school divisions.

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Rogers added it’s frustrating negotiating with a side that hasn’t had the best record when it comes to making deals.

“This is the fifth day teachers have been on strike and in the previous 40 years of provincial collective bargaining there had been no strikes,” he said.

Back in 2011, there were three full day strikes and two days when teachers withdrew their voluntary services such as extra-curricular activities. In 2020, teachers withdrew their voluntary services for seven days.

Over 30 rallies took place across the province. This included Nipawin, Tisdale, Prince Albert, North Battleford, Meadow Lake, and La Ronge.

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Jaryn.Vecchio@pattisonmedia.com

X: @princealbertnow