By Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)

Teachers narrowly accept new four-year contract with Government of Alberta

Jun 11, 2022 | 2:53 PM

Alberta teachers have narrowly voted to accept a four-year contract with the province.

Just over half of Alberta Teachers’ Association (ATA) members who cast ballots voted in favour of the deal that stems from a mediator’s recommendation.

“While these results tell us that the mediator’s recommendations are something that teachers are willing to live with, teachers have also clearly told us they have run out of patience: future bargaining must address their priorities like class size and composition,” says Sean Brown, ATA lead bargainer.

The contract includes a 3.75 per cent wage increase and a two per cent increase on daily rates for substitute teachers in lieu of benefits.

“The results clearly show that this offer is the absolute minimum that teachers were willing to accept. We spent the last four weeks travelling around the province, hosting online sessions and listening to teachers,” says Jason Schilling, ATA president.

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“They told us, regardless of which way they were voting, that they have significant concerns about classroom conditions that simply must be addressed. They have concerns with the way teachers, the profession and our students have been treated by this government and previous governments. As the provincial election draws near, teachers will use public advocacy and political action to press for much needed and long-overdue improvements.”

Acting finance minister Jason Nixon says he is pleased teachers accepted the deal.

“Alberta’s teachers have always played an important role in our province, and in the lives of young Albertans. The hard work and dedication of teachers does not go unnoticed,” Nixon says.

“I want to thank both Teachers’ Employer Bargaining Association (TEBA) and the ATA for their efforts over many months of negotiations. This agreement will set the stage for stability in Alberta’s education system.”

According to an ATA news release, the TEBA also needs to vote for the mediator’s recommendation in order for it to become an agreement. If they vote to accept the agreement, the recommendations will be incorporated into the 61 collective agreements for teachers and school boards.

If ratified, teachers and the ATA say they expect the government will fully fund the cost of the agreement without diverting funds from classrooms.

(with files from The Canadian Press)