Province presents new offer to teachers – STF not impressed

The provincial government has presented a new offer to Saskatchewan teachers.

The proposal offers a one-time $1,500 payment for teachers in the first year, which will come from their health plan.

It will also offer a two per cent salary increase in each of the next three years.

According to the province, it will mean teachers would make 105 per cent of the western Canadian average.

Education Minister Gordon Wyant wants teachers to negotiate.

“We want the union back at the bargaining table. That’s what we want. We think that we can get a fair deal for teachers.”

However, it doesn’t appear as though Wyant is as enthusiastic about class composition issues.

“We also take the position that class composition is not something that we want to collectively bargain. The arbitrator has said that.”

The statement from the province indicates the provincial government has committed funds that will be applied to composition challenges that have been identified by Saskatchewan teachers but has not specified any dollar amount.

He’s also accusing the Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation (STF) of walking away from the bargaining table.

“The union is at a point now, where they won’t return to the bargaining table. We’ve offered them a new mandate and they have refused to even talk about that mandate. I’m not sure you can get to a deal with people that won’t come to the deal to negotiate.

“At the end of the day, people need to understand why things are where they are.”

STF Reaction

While teachers received the offer, STF President Patrick Maze said he had yet to see it as of mid-afternoon.

Regardless, addressing class composition issues were still at the top of the list.

“The main issue is getting classroom composition addressed and making sure our students are properly supported,” he explained.” And then once we do that, we’ve committed to getting back to the bargaining table to discuss salaries.”

The dollar figure the STF is hoping for runs between $100-$125 million over two or three years.

“It’s getting a bit frustrating, yet at the same point we’re really not  surprised with how government is treating classrooms across the province,” adds Maze.

There are no new talks scheduled between the two sides.

“Ultimately, technically it comes across as government undermining their own committee in a sense, in that the minister is trying to deal directly with teachers now.”

Extracurricular Activities Cancelled

As of 3:30 p.m. (Wednesday), all extracurricular activities in schools throughout the province were cancelled.

That includes the regional basketball finals that were to take place this coming weekend and the provincial basketball championship “Hoopla 2020” that was scheduled to take place March 19 -21 in Regina.

The Saskatoon and Regina Public School Districts have also issued notices indicating that school buildings will not be open until 15 minutes prior to the start of the school day, and will close 15 minutes after the end of the school day. There will be no adult supervision on playgrounds after that time either.

Adult supervision will be provided as usual, during regular school hours and lunchtime.

Parents are being asked not to drop off their children more than 15 minutes before the start of the school day, and to pick them up promptly after school.

Programs for those students who attend inside schools will not be affected.