Sask. teachers, province heading back to bargaining next week after education minister floats new offer
Alexander Quon | CBC News | Posted: February 8, 2024 12:17 AM | Last Updated: February 8
Union cancelling planned withdrawal of noon-hour supervision on Thursday
The union representing teachers in Saskatchewan is calling off all job action and preparing to head back to the bargaining table next week after the province announced a new offer.
The Saskatchewan Teachers' Federation (STF) said they were invited to resume bargaining with the province late on Wednesday and the decision to suspend all job action is effective immediately.
"We welcome the opportunity to return to the bargaining table to discuss teachers' proposals and the important issues facing education in Saskatchewan," said STF president Samantha Becottee in a press release.
The decision means a planned provincewide withdrawal of lunch supervision on Thursday is cancelled. Teachers who usually provide noon-hour supervision at schools will be allowed to do so on Thursday, the STF said.
At least some school divisions in the province have reversed decisions to implement shortened days or modified schedules meant to accommodate the planned job action.
Regina Public Schools, Saskatoon Public Schools, Regina Catholic Schools, Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools and Saskatchewan Rivers Public School Division have all announced Thursday will be like any other school day.
New offer on the table
In a video posted on Premier Scott Moe's social media Thursday afternoon, Education Minister Jeremy Cockrill said provincial negotiators have been given a new negotiation mandate.
The province is now going to offer an extension of the current salary offer or offer the same salary formula that MLAs receive, according to the video.
"Those salary adjustments would be based on the cost of living," Cockrill said.
WATCH| Education Minister Jeremy Cockrill's announcement
Cockrill said that means salary increases would be tied to the consumer price index — a common measure of inflation — from the previous year, with a zero per cent floor and three per cent ceiling.
The education minister said that is a deal the STF has asked for and the province is now offering to them.
"Now that a renewed mandate has been provided, it's time for the teachers' union to be true to their word. Lets get back to the bargaining table," Cockrill said.
The two sides are now scheduled to resume negotiations in Saskatoon on Monday.
An internal memo sent to all STF members and obtained by CBC News stressed that should talks break down, sanctions "can be reinstated with another 48-hour notice."
"While we do not know how successful this return to the table will be, we are encouraged by this change in course," the internal message reads.
"Each and every member who dutifully participated in advocacy activities and sanctions has made our collective stronger. The invitation to return to the table, along with a new mandate, would not have been possible without your dedication and unwavering commitment."
Teachers have been operating without a contract in August 2023.
In October, STF members voted overwhelmingly in favour of authorizing job actions after talks with the province broke down.
The STF held one-day, provincewide strikes on Jan. 16 and Jan. 22. Rotating strikes affecting specific school divisions were held on Feb. 1 and then again on Wednesday.
Before Wednesday's announcement, the STF and the provincial government accused the other side of stalling negotiations.
The STF have insisted they want the province to begin negotiating on classroom size and complexity while the government maintains that class size and complexity is an issue for local school boards to deal with, and should not be part of any new contract.
The province has pointed to salary proposals as being the true issue at play.
The STF wants a two per cent annual wage increase for each year of the contract, plus salary provisions that will account for inflation, which means they want salaries tied to the Consumer Price Index.
The province's initial offer was a seven per cent raise over three years.
The province's initial offer was a seven per cent raise over three years.
There's no indication in the video posted by Cockrill or the press release provided by the STF that classroom sizes or complexity will be addressed in these new round of negotiations.
STF president Samantha Becotte is scheduled to host a news conference on Thursday morning to address the developing situation.