'Teachers are stretched too far, resources are too few, and more students are falling through the cracks at a faster pace'
The Alberta government is considering back-to-work legislation if the ongoing teachers’ strike continues when the legislature resumes later this month, according to a report.
This comes as there remains a significant gap between the union’s demands and what the government is prepared to spend, Finance Minister Nate Horner said in the CBC article.
The provincewide strike—which has surpassed a week—has affected approximately 750,000 students across 2,500 schools. The Alberta Teachers’ Association (ATA), representing 51,000 teachers, walked off the job on October 6. A bargaining session took place Tuesday, but no further meeting dates have been scheduled, and both sides are “considering their options,” CBC reported.
On Tuesday, Oct. 14, the Alberta Teachers’ Association (ATA) presented its latest proposal to the Teachers’ Employer Bargaining Association (TEBA). It included a phased-in approach to achieving manageable student–teacher ratios, a fair counter to the government’s three per cent annual salary increase offer, and new language designed to finally begin addressing the increasing complexity in today’s classrooms—things that “teachers have been asking for,” according to the group.
“Now, we expect the government to respond reasonably, in good faith, and not through the media but at the bargaining table where these discussions belong,” said ATA president Jason Schilling.
‘Shot for the moon’
However, Minister Horner stated that the union’s latest proposal would require nearly $2 billion more than the government’s budget for a new contract. “In that sense, I’m sure that their membership would be pleased with this ask,” Horner said, describing the union’s approach as having “shot for the moon,” according to the CBC report. The government’s spending cap for a contract is $2.6 billion over four years.
The union’s proposal includes a larger salary increase than previously offered and action on classroom issues, including caps on class sizes, noted CBC.
“The government knows what teachers want. To say otherwise is nonsense,” said Schilling. “Across this province, we have rallied together—tens of thousands of teachers, parents, students and supporters—to make it clear that teachers want what students need: a strong, well-funded public education system that respects the profession and lifts up every student.”
The government’s last offer, which teachers overwhelmingly rejected in a vote late last month, included a 12 per cent pay raise over four years and a commitment to hire 3,000 more educators to address overcrowded classrooms. Horner said the province will not increase its offer, calling it “extremely fair” and consistent with other recent public sector agreements. “I don’t think there’s much room there,” he said.
Horner indicated that if the strike is still ongoing when the legislature returns on October 27, the government will act quickly to get students back in school. “If this is still going when we start session on (Oct. 27), I’m assuming we will look to try to get kids back in school quickly,” he said, according to CBC.
In late 2024, Canada Post operations resumed after the Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) ordered striking employees to return to work.
