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3h ago

Alberta Teacher Talks Collapse as Province and ATA Deadlock on Pay Before Classes Resume

The standoff turns on wage levels teachers say trail inflation despite a government offer paired with a plan to hire thousands of educators.

A sign outside Stanley Jones School in Renfrew welcomed back students on Friday. A possible teachers strike or lockout looms as negotiations between the teachers' union and the province have stalled.
Talks between Alberta teachers and the provincial government have reached a stalemate.
The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood has been targeted by those wishing to have it removed from libraries.
A classroom at Elder Dr. Francis Whiskeyjack School, 2410 17 St. NW, in Edmonton Monday Aug. 26, 2024.

Overview

  • Ministers Demetrios Nicolaides and Nate Horner said the ATA broke off mediation after rejecting an offer of a 12% raise over four years and hiring 3,000 teachers over three years at an estimated cost of about $750 million.
  • The province also cited an additional increase it says would improve pay for 95% of members, while the ATA said TEBA lacked the mandate to revise salary terms in mediation.
  • The union rejected the salary component and has sought retroactive pay, a delayed start for the unified grid, an extra 1.5% at the top of the grid, and firm multi‑year hiring targets, citing crowded classes and insufficient student supports.
  • Teachers hold a 95% strike mandate through Oct. 7 and can walk out with 72 hours' notice, though ATA president Jason Schilling declined Friday to commit to a strike and said students will be in school next week.
  • TEBA applied to the Labour Relations Board for a lockout vote as a procedural step, and Horner pointed to cross‑provincial salary comparisons and a larger $6.5‑billion deficit in arguing against higher wage increases.