Teachers firmly vote ‘no’ to taking province’s contract offer

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After two days of voting, Saskatchewan teachers delivered a resounding “no” Thursday night to the province’s first contract offer after the final votes were tallied.

Last week, Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation (STF) president Samantha Becotte said the most recent attempts to negotiate with the province  fell on deaf ears, while the government-trustee bargaining committee  (GTBC) presented in mid-April what was framed as the government’s “final offer.”

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Voting took place Wednesday and Thursday, after the STF held several virtual town halls attended by thousands of teachers across the province earlier in the week.

Results shared Thursday night indicated 90 per cent of teachers voted against accepting the offer, with 92.2 per cent of all members having cast a vote.

“The message to government and the Saskatchewan School Boards Association is crystal clear: their so-called ‘final offer’ is unacceptable and does a disservice to students and teachers,” Becotte said in a media release announcing  the vote results.

“This vote tells students, families and our Teachers’ Bargaining Committee that teachers are deeply committed to securing a sustainable future for publicly funded schools and for the supports our students desperately need in classrooms,” Becotte added.

Education Minister Jeremy Cockrill said he was “disappointed” in a written statement issued to media shortly after the vote results were announced, referring to the offer as “a fair agreement that was negotiated between the government, school divisions and STF, reflecting the best interests of Saskatchewan students, teachers, parents and taxpayers.”

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The province’s offer included an eight per cent salary increase over three years, retroactive to 2023. It also contained a line stating that an accountability framework set out in a memorandum of understanding (MOU)  meant to ensure ongoing funding to address class sizes and complexity would be “followed and honoured.”

Over the past several months, the STF has pushed for legislation to make the accountability framework legally binding. 

With the announcement of the vote results, the STF also invited the GTBC to return to the table on May 13 and 14.

Bargaining between the two began nearly a year ago, on May 24, 2023, Becotte pointed out.

“We need a deal that guarantees the government’s full, unwavering commitment to the future of public schools beyond the election cycle. Anything less is untenable,” Becotte said. “No more backroom deals and no more ‘final offers.’”

Cockrill’s statement agreed that both parties “should immediately return to the table” to avoid further sanctions or disruptions, though did not respond directly to the invitation.

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Prior to 2017, if a final offer was voted down, an arbitrator would typically be used to make a binding decision. Amendments to the province’s Education Act now require both parties to agree to binding arbitration. The STF has said it would be willing, but the province has repeatedly said arbitration is not something it would consider.

Becotte said last week she expects bargaining to resume if teachers reject the offer. The potential for further job action, however, will depend on the province’s response.

If more job action continues, Education Minister Jeremy Cockrill and Premier Scott Moe have hinted at extending the school year to make up for lost time.

Educational regulations require a minimum of 950 instructional hours be delivered to students per year. The Education Act also mandates the school year be concluded no later than June 30.

Teachers have conducted three days of provincewide strike action thus far, and four days of rotating strikes across various divisions.

Official opposition leader Carla Beck said Thursday following questions  at the legislature that comments on extending the year aren’t helpful.

“If the minister had any confidence in his ability to address the concerns we see (in schools), I don’t think he’d be musing whatever might happen afterwards,” she said.

“This is about the future of our children’s education. These are very real concerns.”

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