Since May 2023, negotiations have been taking place between the Government of Saskatchewan and the Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation (STF) to develop a new collective bargaining agreement, with the most recent agreement having expired at the end of August of this year.
A sanctions vote back in October saw 95 per cent of teachers who voted supported sanctions to be exercised until June 30, 2024, with the potential to impact delivery of extracurricular activities or even progress to a full strike. Specific sanctions have yet to be announced.
Most recently, a round of conciliation meetings between the STF and the province have proven unsuccessful.
“We had five days of meetings with the conciliation panel over the last couple of weeks and those ended [Tuesday] when the conciliation panel declared an impasse,” said Samantha Becotte, president of the Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation.
“It has been a frustrating process for teachers because throughout all of the conversations, government has not moved significantly on any of the items that are of a priority for teachers, and that includes items that would improve conditions for students and teachers in classrooms. Whether it's classroom complexity, class size, or items around violence in the classroom, there's been really no movement from government.”
Becotte said that teachers are still willing to have discussions. “Teachers are ready to go back to the table at any point, but we need government to be willing to really begin negotiations, and come to the table in good faith, ready to find solutions on those items that are of a highest priority of teachers.”
She added that they are awaiting the conciliation board’s report. “We're hoping that what is written in the conciliators’ report will be able to move this process forward and spark new conversations around negotiations.”
The following statement was issued by the Saskatchewan Ministry of Education:
The Government-Trustee Bargaining Committee (GTBC) remains committed to bargaining in good faith and has been at the bargaining table the entire time, despite the Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation (STF) cancelling meetings and walking away from the table earlier in the process.
The GTBC has every intention of continuing to bargain on items relevant to the provincial teacher collective agreement, including salary and benefits. Saskatchewan is a large and diverse province, and school divisions make decisions every day on how to best resource classrooms that respond to local needs. The Government of Saskatchewan will not bargain away the ability of locally elected school boards to continue to make these decisions.
The proposed offer of 7 per cent over three years made by the GTBC recognizes the important work of Saskatchewan teachers. Teachers in Saskatchewan are currently earning salaries above the average for teachers in western Canada, all while maintaining very competitive benefits including pension plan contributions, medical and dental plans, and sick leave provisions.
Government has and will continue to fund Saskatchewan’s growing schools. This commitment has been demonstrated through investments such as the additional $40 million announced to support increased enrolment and classroom complexity. In addition, government continues to provide funding ($7 million for 2023 – 24) to ensure continued support for additional EAs hired through this investment.
Conciliation between the Government-Trustee Bargaining Committee and the Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation has concluded. A report from the conciliation board is expected to be delivered in mid-January 2024
We will provide more information as negotiations continue.
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