SASKATOON – Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation have voted 95 percent in support for job sanctions.
The result was announced Friday after two days of voting on Oct. 24 and 25. The union states in a news release that 90 percent of teachers cast a vote in this process.
This result means the union is supporting the Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation Executive if they deem sanctions necessary between now and June 30, 2024.
“I want to be very clear that an obstinate and out-of-touch government is forcing this situation down an unfortunate path,” said Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation President Samantha Becotte in a news release.
“Teachers want to negotiate a fair deal at the bargaining table. We are hopeful that the conciliation process will be successful. But the results of this vote send a very clear message. We are united, we are prepared, and we are ready to fight for our colleagues, our students and the families who are struggling in underfunded and under-resourced public schools across Saskatchewan. I want our government to finally listen to what teachers are telling them with this vote: Enough is enough.”
The Government of Saskatchewan has issued this response:
“We are disappointed that the STF walked away from negotiations and is willing to impose sanctions that could impact students and their families. At the request of the STF, a conciliation board will be established in the coming weeks to assist the bargaining committees in reaching a new collective agreement. We remain at the table ready to bargain and it is our hope that the STF will come back and resume negotiations.”
Opposition Education Critic Matt Love has issued this statement:
"Teachers’ working conditions are students’ learning conditions. Teachers are clearly united, after a decade of education cuts, in their call for improvements to their classrooms to better support their students. What does it say about the Sask. Party that they refuse to negotiate on nine of the ten issues teachers have identified as a priority — such as classroom size, classroom complexities and violence in the classroom? Instead of dealing with real issues, we see Scott Moe and his Education Minister using public tax dollars to launch a campaign to try and vilify teachers. Our teachers deserve better. Our students deserve better. It’s time for Scott Moe to get to the table and negotiate a fair deal that benefits both our teachers and our students."
