Concerns persist among parents and students in Alberta about the possibility of a teachers’ strike as the new school year enters its second week.
Negotiations between the Alberta government and the teachers’ union collapsed at the end of last month, leaving both parties deadlocked over the weekend, each waiting for the other to make a move.
“Our entire family is in a state of limbo,” expressed Adina Green, a mother of two sons aged nine and 15.
The family does not utilize daycare or after-school care services and would turn to retired relatives for assistance if a strike occurs. However, these family members are on standby until further notice.
Although Green acknowledges the requirement of a three-days’ notice before a strike or lockout takes place, her primary concern is the suddenness of a potential strike without warning.
“It’s a period of uncertainty, causing knots in your stomach,” she remarked.
Recent developments in the labor dispute have been numerous. Here is the current state of affairs as of Monday morning.
Stalemate between Parties
The Alberta Teachers’ Association (ATA), representing 51,000 full- and part-time teachers, received a strike mandate.
Meanwhile, the Teachers’ Employer Bargaining Association (TEBA), the provincial body representing school boards in bargaining, secured approval for a lock-out vote, granting school boards the power to lock out teachers, as confirmed by the provincial labor relations board.
“There have been no discussions between the parties since late August,” reported ATA president Jason Schilling to CBC News on Saturday.
In a statement released on Friday evening, Finance Minister Nate Horner expressed TEBA’s readiness to resume negotiations.
The teachers are also open to returning to the table but are looking for greater acknowledgment and appreciation for their work, as stated by Schilling.
“As far as I know, phones work both ways,” Schilling remarked. “If the government is willing to engage in dialogue and acknowledges the value of teachers’ work, they can initiate contact and say, ‘Let’s talk.’
“They are aware of our stance during negotiations.”
Government’s Position
In the Friday statement, Horner criticized the union’s bargaining team for their refusal to negotiate at present, deeming it an ineffective strategy and unfair to teachers in the province.
TEBA put forth a proposal totaling $2.3 billion, including a wage increase of 12% over four years and a commitment to hire 3,000 new teachers within the agreement’s duration.
