Ninety-five percent of Saskatchewan Teachers Federation (STF) teachers voted to back job sanctions in reaction to the Saskatchewan government’s refusal to negotiate a provincial collective agreement.Following two days of voting on October 24 and 25, 90% of teachers participated in the voting process.This vote offers support for potential sanctions if the STF Executive deems them necessary at any point between now and June 30 2024.“I want to be very clear that an obstinate and out-of-touch government is forcing this situation down an unfortunate path,” said STF President Samantha Becotte. “Teachers want to negotiate a fair deal at the bargaining table. We are hopeful that the conciliation process will be successful. But the results of this vote send a very clear message. We are united, we are prepared, and we are ready to fight for our colleagues, our students and the families who are struggling in underfunded and under-resourced public schools across Saskatchewan. I want our government to finally listen to what teachers are telling them with this vote: Enough is enough.”The Government of Saskatchewan released a statement on Monday afternoon responding to the STF vote for potential sanctions."We are disappointed that the STF walked away from negotiations and is willing to impose sanctions that could impact students and their families," said a Saskatchewan government spokesperson. "At the request of the STF, a conciliation board will be established in the coming weeks to assist the bargaining committees in reaching a new collective agreement. We remain at the table ready to bargain and it is our hope that the STF will come back and resume negotiations."Earlier this month, the Teachers' Bargaining Committee declared they could not progress in their discussions with the government and initiated the conciliation process to move negotiations forward. Teachers have presented ten proposals for negotiation on critical issues, including class size and complexity, addressing classroom violence and taking actionable steps to support Truth and Reconciliation efforts.The government has declined to negotiate on nine of the teachers' ten proposals.“Instead of working with us to find solutions, the education minister and premier try to villainize teachers and shirk their responsibility for public schools,” said Becotte. “It is disappointing beyond words when we should be at the table talking about how to repair the systemic damage that has been caused by nearly a decade of underfunding.”The STF has mini-rallies coming up in Saskatoon on October 28 and North Battleford on November 4. The STF is also asking people to get in touch with their MLA.“The government wants to ignore reality, but parents and teachers are living with these problems every day. Teachers and parents must stand together and demand government finally address the crisis it has caused in public education,” said Becotte. “Call or email your MLA and let them know this isn’t acceptable. Ask them to start actually negotiating and address class size, composition and student needs at the table.”
Ninety-five percent of Saskatchewan Teachers Federation (STF) teachers voted to back job sanctions in reaction to the Saskatchewan government’s refusal to negotiate a provincial collective agreement.Following two days of voting on October 24 and 25, 90% of teachers participated in the voting process.This vote offers support for potential sanctions if the STF Executive deems them necessary at any point between now and June 30 2024.“I want to be very clear that an obstinate and out-of-touch government is forcing this situation down an unfortunate path,” said STF President Samantha Becotte. “Teachers want to negotiate a fair deal at the bargaining table. We are hopeful that the conciliation process will be successful. But the results of this vote send a very clear message. We are united, we are prepared, and we are ready to fight for our colleagues, our students and the families who are struggling in underfunded and under-resourced public schools across Saskatchewan. I want our government to finally listen to what teachers are telling them with this vote: Enough is enough.”The Government of Saskatchewan released a statement on Monday afternoon responding to the STF vote for potential sanctions."We are disappointed that the STF walked away from negotiations and is willing to impose sanctions that could impact students and their families," said a Saskatchewan government spokesperson. "At the request of the STF, a conciliation board will be established in the coming weeks to assist the bargaining committees in reaching a new collective agreement. We remain at the table ready to bargain and it is our hope that the STF will come back and resume negotiations."Earlier this month, the Teachers' Bargaining Committee declared they could not progress in their discussions with the government and initiated the conciliation process to move negotiations forward. Teachers have presented ten proposals for negotiation on critical issues, including class size and complexity, addressing classroom violence and taking actionable steps to support Truth and Reconciliation efforts.The government has declined to negotiate on nine of the teachers' ten proposals.“Instead of working with us to find solutions, the education minister and premier try to villainize teachers and shirk their responsibility for public schools,” said Becotte. “It is disappointing beyond words when we should be at the table talking about how to repair the systemic damage that has been caused by nearly a decade of underfunding.”The STF has mini-rallies coming up in Saskatoon on October 28 and North Battleford on November 4. The STF is also asking people to get in touch with their MLA.“The government wants to ignore reality, but parents and teachers are living with these problems every day. Teachers and parents must stand together and demand government finally address the crisis it has caused in public education,” said Becotte. “Call or email your MLA and let them know this isn’t acceptable. Ask them to start actually negotiating and address class size, composition and student needs at the table.”
