REGINA — Saskatchewan teachers will be off the job Tuesday, Jan. 16, for a one-day province-wide strike.
The Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation issued notice Jan. 11, noting that it is only required to give 48 hours notice but wanted to give families extra time.
“Additional notice also provides government an opportunity to change course,” the STF said in a news release.
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“Should government change course and allow their negotiating committee to bargain on critical issues impacting students and raising serious concerns among teachers and parents, the countdown will be stopped and committees can return to the bargaining table.”
STF president Samantha Becotte said the bargaining committees are getting nowhere on urgent issues of class size and complexity.
“Government remains intransigent, even after conciliation. This is not bargaining; they are making decisions based on politics, and student learning is suffering for it.”
The union said further job action will follow the strike unless progress is made.
In a statement emailed to media, education minister Jeremy Cockrill said he was disappointed the union “continues to work toward a strike” when the government committee is at the table.
“Outside of that process we have demonstrated our commitment to addressing classroom complexity with record funding and two brand new pilot projects announced just this week,” he said.
Cockrill said the government has offered teachers a seven percent raise over three years and would like to continue discussing competitive salary and benefits, but it cannot do so if the STF isn’t at the table.
Contact karen.briere@producer.com
