Government declines invitation to enter into binding arbitration, says union
Thousands of teachers in Saskatchewan will be on strike beginning Wednesday after failing to come to a contract agreement with the provincial government, specifically on the issue of class size.
The one-day strike coincides with the announcement of the provincial budget.
More than 4,000 teachers will hold a rally at the Legislative Building in Regina, while hundreds more will take part in demonstrations at other locations throughout the province, according to the Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation (STF).
“Government’s unwillingness to work with teachers in finding any path forward has forced this decision, which will impact students and communities both big and small across the province,” said Samantha Becotte, STF president. “Teachers have done their part to avoid more job action. We have bargained in good faith, and we have been clear that our opening proposals are only a starting point for discussion.”
The union also invited the provincial government to take part in binding arbitration on the single issue of class size and complexity, according to the union president. However, Jeremy Cockrill, education minister, rejected the offer within hours, said Becotte.
“The refusal of Minister Cockrill and Premier Moe to compromise are to blame for the strike and students’ loss of extracurricular activities in the days to come.”
Had the government agreed to binding arbitration for classroom complexity or provided their bargaining team with the mandate that included classroom complexity, the union “could return to the table to negotiate an agreement and… all sanctions would be cancelled or suspended," Becotte said in a CBC report.
Earlier this month, the strike of 8,000 University of Toronto workers was averted thanks to a last-minute agreement.
STF will also hold a two-day, provincewide withdrawal of extracurricular activities on March 21 and 22.
This means that teachers will not provide voluntary services involved in the organization, supervision and facilitation of activities, including athletics, non-curricular arts, field trips, student travel, graduation preparations, school clubs and other activities. This includes Hoopla, the provincial high school basketball championships in Moose Jaw, and the Optimist Band Festival in Regina, which are both taking place this week.
“We are fighting to improve the learning conditions for all students across Saskatchewan,” Becotte said. “Extracurricular activities are an incredibly valuable part of the school experience for both students and teachers, but the education of children and youth is always our first priority. We can no longer watch the decline of our students’ learning environment while government ignores reality and refuses to make a commitment to predictable, sustainable funding for prekindergarten to Grade 12 education.”
However, Becotte admitted there is a chance that the job action affecting major extracurricular events could backfire.
"There is a concern about public perception of these actions, but our hope is that the public recognizes the fight that teachers are having to get this government to make long-term commitments to public education. It shouldn't be this hard," Becotte said, according to CBC.
Elementary teachers in Ontario also previously voted in favour of a strike.
