SASKATCHEWAN TEACHERS' FEDERATION
Saskatchewan Teachers Reject Tentative Agreement

The majority of teachers in Saskatchewan have voted against a tentative Provincial Collective Bargaining Agreement between the Teachers' Bargaining Committee and Government-Trustee Bargaining Committee. In voting held Wednesday and Thursday, 55 percent of teachers opposed the agreement, with 88 percent of eligible voters casting a ballot.

"We take our direction from the membership, and members have spoken. The result of this vote is a message to government and the Saskatchewan School Boards Association that teachers need to see real changes to classroom complexity and compensation. In feedback from members, we heard clearly that their priorities haven't been adequately addressed," says Saskatchewan Teachers' Federation President Samantha Becotte. "In the days leading up to this vote, I stressed that the fight for public education will continue, and our members will determine which forum that battle will take place in. The STF Executive and I will do whatever it takes, for as long as it takes, to get a deal done with the support of our collective to strengthen our profession and public education for current and future students."

This is the second offer teachers have rejected. On May 8 and 9, teachers voted on a final offer from government. Teachers overwhelmingly rejected the offer, with 90 percent of voters opposed. Following the vote in early May, the two bargaining committees resumed negotiations. As a result of the progress made over the course of five days of informal and formal negotiations, both bargaining committees announced on May 17 that a tentative agreement had been reached. This agreement, which teachers have rejected, included an additional $18 million per year towards classroom complexity and the inclusion of several references to provide greater transparency and teacher voice in the allocation of classroom support funding.

"I appreciate the Government-Trustee Bargaining Committee's willingness to bargain in good faith during the meetings that led us to the tentative deal. I expect that these productive negotiations will continue, and we can return to the table to chart a path towards an agreement that will meet the needs of Saskatchewan's students and teachers without further interruptions to the school year," says Becotte.

The Teachers' Bargaining Committee has extended a verbal invitation for the Government-Trustee Bargaining Committee to return to the negotiating table and a formal, written invitation will be sent tomorrow. If the government and the SSBA decline this invitation, or talks break down, 48 hours' notice will be given prior to the resumption of job action. On May 16, the TBC and STF Executive received a new mandate from teachers to implement sanctions as they see fit. This mandate will be in effect until an agreement is reached, which may be beyond the current school year.