Teachers accuse government of ‘misleading’ ad campaign during contract talks

The Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation (STF) is accusing the Scott Moe government of a “misleading and ridiculous” billboard campaign.

Contract talks are underway between the two sides and the billboards maintain that Saskatchewan teachers are among the highest-paid in Western Canada with average salaries of $92,000 per year.

“What a waste of time and money,” STF president Samantha Becotte said. “They’ve proven once again they don’t care about students and their learning environment and instead want to create division by suggesting teachers are the villians.”

The STF began negotiations on a provincewide agreement for roughly 13,000 K-12 teachers in June. The union put forward what it calls a detailed salary package, and a series of proposals aimed at reducing overcrowded classrooms, added support for children who need special services, and classroom violence.

“The government is refusing to even bargain on these issues, and I think that’s unconscionable,” Becotte said. “Years of cuts and funding below the rate of inflation has created a host of problems that require urgent attention. The government just wants to sweep this under the rug, and I don’t think we should let that happen. Students, their families and the people of Saskatchewan frankly deserve better.”

The STF maintains it takes 10 years before the average Saskatchewan teacher makes $92,000 year. Becotte calls that an “unpleasant shift in tone’ at the bargaining table.

From the ministry

A request to speak to Education Minister Dustin Duncan about the billboards and bargaining was referred to the ministry and bargaining committee.

According to a statement, the bargaining committee proposed a seven per cent increase to teachers over three years. The statement said it believes that is a fair deal “that recognizes the important work of Saskatchewan teachers.”

It repeated the claim on the billboards, saying Saskatchewan teachers earn above-average salaries for teachers in Western Canada and have competitive benefits.

The bargaining committee expects to “continue to bargain in good faith” to reach a deal – the current deal expires next month.

As for the billboards, the statement said the ministry supports the bargaining committee with money, which included funding for public notification and information on bargaining.

“The current public information campaign will run in digital and static formats throughout the province over the course of the summer,” read the statement.

The ministry explained the math behind the billboard – that just under 69 per cent of full-time equivalent teachers in Saskatchewan are paid at or above $92,067 (Class IV Step 11 on the 2023 wage grid).

The statement said that the Class IV Step 11 equivalent classification is used in B.C., Alberta and Manitoba and amounts to an average of $90,300.