The Saskatchewan Teachers Federation will hold a vote on sanctions next week on October 24th and 25th because its President says there has been no movement in the bargaining process. Samantha Becotte states they are also filing for conciliation because they have met with the government nine times without success to address class size and composition, the lack of supports for students and proposed salary increases below the rate of inflation.

She adds that enrolment is up, but there are fewer teachers and professional supports. “Our goal for conciliation is to help us get an agreement for teachers that addresses not just compensation and benefits, but also addresses teachers working conditions and if you haven’t heard us say it before, teachers working conditions are our students’ learning conditions.” Becotte states if the vote is in favour of sanctions, that doesn’t necessarily mean they would happen immediately or at all. It depends on negotiations.

The STF cites Statistics Canada’s numbers which indicate over the past six years there has been a 4.3 per cent increase in enrolment while the number of full-time equivalent educators declined by 1.2 per cent in the last year.

There was a mini rally held in Moose Jaw over the weekend and there are three more over the next three weeks with one in Humboldt on Saturday, then in Saskatoon on the 28th and North Battleford on the 4th.

For more information on the rallies, click here.

Click here for more statistics from the STF:  Education-in-Saskatchewan-Facts-and-Statistics_11-Oct-2023