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Saskatchewan teachers have rejected the province’s latest proposal, which would end a contract dispute that has lasted more than a year.
The Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation (STF) said in a news release Thursday evening that 88 per cent of its members voted in the past two days, with 55 per cent voting against it.
Members have the opportunity to vote on the tentative agreement from Wednesday morning to 6 p.m. Thursday.
“This vote sends a message to government and the Saskatchewan School Boards Association that teachers need to see real change in classroom complexity and pay. From member feedback, we heard loud and clear that their priorities are not being adequately addressed,” STF President Samantha Becotte said in a news release.
The latest agreement covers a three-year period, from September 1, 2023 to August 31, 2026, and has previously been approved and recommended by Becot and the Faculty Bargaining Committee.
The agreement will enable:
- The Accountability Framework, signed by the STF, the government and the Saskatchewan School Boards Association (SSBA), will be attached to the agreement as a Memorandum of Understanding
- An additional $18 million per year will be allocated to address classroom complexity, which will be added to the multi-year funding agreement signed between SSBA and the government
- A ministerial task force on classroom complexity will be established, made up of teachers, students and parents. The final report will be submitted to the Minister of Education to ensure the views of teachers and students
- A discussion on violence-free classroom policy hosted by the Ministry of Education with representatives from STF and SSBA
- Salary increases of 3% in 2023, 3% in 2024, and 2% in 2025
“The STF executive committee and I will do everything we can to reach an agreement with collective support that strengthens our profession and public education for current and future students,” Becot said.
Education Secretary Jeremy Cockerill said in a statement he was disappointed and would provide further information on next steps soon.
“I am disappointed with the vote, which not only negates a fair agreement negotiated between the administration, the school department and STF, but also negates an agreement endorsed and recommended by STF senior leadership,” the statement read.
The last contract for Saskatchewan teachers expires in August 2023 — three months after negotiations began.
The Teachers Bargaining Committee issued a notice on Thursday saying it had issued a verbal invitation to the trustees to return to the bargaining table. If the invitation is rejected or negotiations break down, the Teachers Bargaining Committee will give 48 hours’ notice before resuming strike action.
The Scottish Teachers’ Union announced a deadlock in October last year and in January this year that teachers’ strikes would begin in early 2024.
On May 9, teachers rejected an initial proposal put forward by the provincial government, with 90 per cent of teachers voting against it and more than 92 per cent of voters voting in favour.
Becotte plans to hold a virtual media conference at 10:30 a.m. Friday to discuss the results and the future direction of STF.
– Contains files from Drew Postey and David Prisciak.
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