As college students have been heading into Easter break, there was hope the Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation (STF) and the ministry of schooling would return to the bargaining desk.
But as issues have progressed, the STF isn’t feeling so hopeful and fears they is likely to be at one other standstill in contract negotiations.
On Thursday, Education Minister Jeremy Cockrill introduced a memorandum of understanding (MOU) was provided to academics with assist from the Saskatchewan School Boards Association.
Cockrill mentioned all events would work collectively to create an accountability framework for the multi-year funding settlement that was signed between the SSBA and the schooling ministry earlier this yr.
On Tuesday, nonetheless, STF president Samantha Becotte mentioned attitudes have modified.
“Their offer unfortunately is once again one of those take-it-or-leave-it offers,” Becotte mentioned. “They’re not willing to engage in a back-and-forth conversation.”
“We responded on Thursday and both our staff at the federation, as well as ministry staff made the commitment to work over the weekend to try and get the MOU to a place where we would be able to get back to the table.”
Becotte went on to say they wished to barter on the framework accountability being within the binding contract. She mentioned regardless of the promise made within the MOU, the federal government received’t make it binding.
“We have experienced in the past where MOUs have been walked back on by government and without that dispute resolution process, there isn’t a way to hold anyone accountable,” Becotte mentioned.
Breaking information from Canada and around the globe
despatched to your e mail, because it occurs.
In a press release from the federal government of Saskatchewan, they mentioned late final week, the “Government-Trustee Bargaining Committee (GTBC) sent its weekly invitation to the STF to return to the bargaining table, as they have for the last several weeks. Conversations on resuming negotiations are still on going.”
“Government and school boards remain firm that class size and complexity will not be included in the new collective agreement. However, government has offered the STF the ability to participate in the development of the accountability framework MOU and the subsequent framework. Their involvement would allow teachers to have direct input in the formation of the accountability framework that would oversee how the $356.6 million for classroom supports, as announced in the 2024-25 provincial budget, is utilized.”
Despite each events seeming to be at one other standstill, there is likely to be different choices.
“The government still has a lot of cards, whether or not they want to play them,” University of Regina enterprise and administration affiliate professor Andrew Stevens mentioned.
“Whether or not they’re constitutionally valid or if they could defend it publicly against scrutiny from the teachers or the member of the general populace is another question.”
Stevens mentioned the federal government may usher in an arbitrator or cross a legislative legislation to shut negotiations.
On the STF aspect, Stevens mentioned elevated job motion may proceed, and a full strike is at all times on the desk.
The challenge of binding arbitration is just not one thing new to the federal government, in response to Stevens.
“The provincial government on many occasions has been very reluctant when it doesn’t have to engage in binding arbitration,” he defined. “We saw that with the Co-op refinery lockout.”
“What they might be thinking is they can get what they need out of the current course of collective bargaining, and it’s kind of like calling the bluff of the teachers if they’re going to amplify things.”
In phrases of the MOU, Stevens mentioned it is smart why the STF is anxious.
“The MOU and the funding model that’s been organized behind the teachers back, there’s no strings attached to it,” he mentioned. “The government can take it or leave it in the future. So I think the teachers are right to be concerned about it.”
© 2024 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.
Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation losing hope for return to bargaining table
