Negotiations recommence as October 6th rapidly approaches, a potential date for Alberta-wide teacher strike
Alberta Government and Teachers' Association Resume Negotiations
After a brief hiatus, the Alberta Government and the Alberta Teachers' Association (ATA) have resumed negotiations, following the resolution of a complaint launched by the government over allegations of bad-faith bargaining.
In a statement, Premier Danielle Smith and Finance Minister Nate Horner expressed their satisfaction with the resolution, while the ATA's leader, Schilling, has noted that the return to the bargaining table is a positive step forward.
The consent order issued by the labour board 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. The government's offer includes a 12 per cent pay hike over four years, while the details of the ATA's latest offer have not been disclosed.
The government's offer would also add 3,000 more teachers to classrooms, addressing concerns about classroom sizes and support for students, which the consent order makes clear are not part of the ongoing negotiations. However, Schilling has pointed out that an additional 3,000 teachers over three years won't adequately fix overcrowding and that the province's wage offer doesn't make up for years of little to no salary adjustments and inflation.
Meanwhile, the ATA has intensified its advertising campaign, using billboards, TV and radio commercials, social media, postcards, and lawn signs to voice its stance. The United Conservative Party (UCP) in Alberta has also announced its own advertising campaign amid the ongoing negotiations with the teachers' union.
The ATA has set October 6 as the date for a strike, which could disrupt classes for over 700,000 students across 2,500 schools. The government is still determining the advertising mediums, cost, and start date for its campaign in response to the union's latest proposal tabled last week.
Finance Minister Nate Horner is pleased a resolution has been reached, but the government maintains that it cannot afford a bigger pay hike for teachers and that teachers must choose between higher salaries or more staff to address classroom sizes. The ATA, on the other hand, continues to push for a fair compensation package and adequate resources for teachers and students.
The resumption of negotiations offers a glimmer of hope for both parties to find a mutually beneficial solution and avoid a potential strike. The outcome of these negotiations will have significant implications for the education system in Alberta and the lives of its students, teachers, and parents.
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