The battle between the Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation (STF) and the provincial government could come to an end on Friday as education workers vote on whether to accept the province’s final offer. Contract negotiations began in May 2023, escalating in January 2024 when teachers went on strike demanding a better offer. The STF is pushing for concerns such as classroom size and complexity to be addressed in a new agreement, while the province argues that these are issues that fall under school board jurisdiction. Multiple strikes and work disruptions have taken place during the negotiations.
After negotiations fell through, several one-day strikes were held, followed by rotating strikes, lunchroom supervision cuts, extracurricular cancellations, and work-to-rule actions. The province presented its final offer on April 18, which includes a proposed three-year contract with three percent salary increases in the first two years, retroactive to September 2023, and a two percent increase in the third year. The offer also includes an accountability framework to ensure that provincial funding to the Saskatchewan School Boards Association benefits students, as stated in a memorandum of understanding. Voting on the contract will close at 6 p.m. on Thursday.
In a social media post by the STF, over 45 percent of members had already cast their votes within two hours of voting opening. The outcome of the vote will determine whether the teachers accept the province’s final offer or choose to continue their fight for better working conditions. Both parties have been at odds over various issues, with the STF insisting on addressing concerns related to classroom dynamics and the province maintaining that these issues are within the purview of school boards. The negotiations have been ongoing for nearly a year, with no resolution in sight until now.
The STF has been advocating for improvements in classroom size and complexity, arguing that these factors significantly impact the quality of education provided to students. The proposed contract not only includes salary increases but also outlines mechanisms for ensuring accountability in the allocation of funding to support educational initiatives. Despite the province’s final offer, there is uncertainty about whether the teachers will accept the terms, given the contentious nature of the negotiations. Both parties are hoping for a resolution to the conflict that will benefit teachers, students, and the education system in Saskatchewan.
The province’s final offer represents a compromise between the demands of the STF and the government’s budget constraints. With the potential resolution of the dispute looming, there is anticipation about the outcome of the vote and its implications for the future of education in Saskatchewan. The STF has been vocal about the need for improved working conditions and support for teachers, while the province has emphasized the importance of fiscal responsibility and oversight in the education sector. The ball is now in the court of the teachers, who must decide whether to accept the offer on the table or continue their fight for better conditions.
