Business organizations in Alberta have expressed concerns over the impact of the recent teachers’ strike on the province’s economy. Although there is hope with students returning to school, the resolution of the dispute using the notwithstanding clause has created more uncertainty about the future.
Alberta Teachers’ Association members have been on strike since October 6. The province’s decision to employ the notwithstanding clause to compel teachers back to work has been met with criticism from labor groups, hinting at a potential broader labor response.
During the period when students were out of school, small businesses in Alberta faced challenges from two angles, as stated by the Alberta chapter of the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB). Firstly, there was a productivity impact due to parents taking time off to care for their children, affecting their work commitments. Additionally, businesses near schools suffered a direct blow to their sales during the strike.
Local business owners, like Jamie Senturk, who owns a pizza restaurant in Calgary, and Ehsan Al-Shammari, who runs a nearby popular restaurant, reported significant drops in foot traffic and sales. They attributed the decline not only to the absence of students but also to the broader economic repercussions of teachers being on unpaid leave and families staying home during the strike.
According to Alberta Central’s chief economist, Charles St-Arnaud, the economic repercussions of the teachers’ strike extend across various sectors. Reduced spending by parents and teachers, due to the strike-related circumstances, could have adverse effects on the overall economy.
Deborah Yedlin, president and CEO of the Calgary Chamber of Commerce, raised concerns about the loss of classroom time impacting students preparing for post-secondary education. She emphasized the importance of ensuring students receive adequate education to contribute positively to the city’s workforce.
While many businesses are relieved to see a return to stability, there are lingering concerns about potential future labor disputes. The Alberta Federation of Labour has indicated a readiness to oppose what they view as an anti-democratic and anti-worker agenda by the province.
Gil McGowan, president of the Alberta Federation of Labour, hinted at the possibility of a provincewide strike by the Common Front coalition of union groups. Jason Foster, a labor relations professor at Athabasca University, acknowledged the unprecedented nature of the legislation used to end the strike, suggesting that it could elicit an unprecedented response from labor groups.
The situation in Alberta draws parallels to the 2022 events in Ontario when Premier Doug Ford’s government attempted to quell an education workers’ strike using the notwithstanding clause. The strong backlash from workers and the broader labor movement ultimately led to the repeal of the contentious legislation.