Negotiations recommence as the October 6th potential Alabama-wide teachers' walkout approaches
Alberta Government and Teachers' Union Resume Bargaining Amidst Ongoing Dispute
The Alberta government and the Alberta Teachers' Association (ATA) have resumed negotiations, following a day after the labour relations board announced a resolution of a complaint launched by the government. The current offer from the government includes adding 3,000 more teachers to classrooms over three years, but the union president, Jason Schilling, has stated that this won't adequately fix overcrowding.
In a consent order issued by the labour board, it states that the parties have agreed the matter is over, and the only outstanding bargaining issues are related to pay hikes and COVID-19 vaccines for teachers. However, the union has rejected a 12 per cent pay hike over four years proposed by the government.
Premier Danielle Smith and Finance Minister Nate Horner have stated that the provincial coffers can't afford a bigger pay hike for teachers. They have asserted that teachers must choose between higher salaries or more staff to address classroom sizes. The current offer from the government would not address issues related to classroom complexity, class size, or support for students, according to Finance Minister Nate Horner.
The union president, Jason Schilling, has noted that the province's wage offer doesn't make up for years of little to no salary adjustments and inflation. He hasn't disclosed the details of the latest offer from the government.
The teachers' union is planning to go on strike on Oct. 6 if a deal isn't reached, affecting over 700,000 students across 2,500 schools. The union has used billboards, TV and radio commercials, teacher testimonials on social media, and postcards and lawn signs for its advertising campaign.
The government is still determining which advertising mediums it plans to use, how much its campaign will cost, and when it will start. Finance Minister Nate Horner is pleased with the resolution reached. The province asserts that the claim made by the union regarding the lack of power of the provincial negotiators to negotiate non-wage issues wasn't true.
Bargaining between the Alberta government and the teachers' union continues, with both parties seeking a resolution that addresses the concerns of teachers and students alike. The outcome of these negotiations will have a significant impact on the education system in Alberta.
