By Andrew Dawson

Saskatchewan teachers to begin “Work to Rule” campaign Monday

May 26, 2011 | 7:47 AM

A source tells News Talk Radio that the Saskatchewan Teachers Federation is planning a “Work to Rule” campaign.

The STF is expected to make the announcement at their rally at the Legislature this morning at 9.

As of Monday, teachers will only work during school hours and will refuse to participate in any volunteer or extracurricular activities. The teachers have been told the campaign will be in effect until further notice.

The government had been sounding the alarm about what further strikes would do to end-of-year activities like exams and graduation plans. There's no word on what sort of impact a work to rule campaign might have, but teachers are heavily involved in those activities.

This comes a day after Saskatchewan's government said it is absolutely willing to offer teachers more.

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However the province also admits that while it hasn't been discussed yet, there is still a possibility teachers could be legislated back to work.

The on-going wage dispute between the Saskatchewan Teachers Federation and the Saskatchewan School Board Association was a topic at the government's weekly cabinet meeting at the legislature Wednesday.

Education minister Donna Harpauer told reporters in the afternoon that the cabinet committed to “explore further flexibility” in bargaining, but she stresses the STF needs to come back to the table for that to happen.

“(Finishing the school year) is absolutely the number one priority of our government. So as I said, we have over $100 million on the table and we're willing to look at even more,” she said.

Harpauer explains the bargaining committee's latest offer was expanded, but she insists the final deal has to be sustainable. She doesn't think the 16 per cent being demanded by the teachers is.

“We don't want to have the Alberta example where they have an agreement that, quite frankly, has meant massive lay-offs for teachers.”

Harpauer insists the teachers' federation didn't even bother looking at the latest offer before walking away. In addition to that apparent unwillingness to bargain, she also expressed dismay with the union's assertion that more strikes could happen going forward. She's worried that could potentially affect students' preparation for final exams and, eventually, graduation. She believes that unless teachers commit to holding off on further strikes those tests could be delayed, or worse.

Under questioning from reporters Harpauer admitted the province could still attempt to legislate teachers back to work, but she contended that hasn't even been discussed as a real option yet.

Earlier in the day 15 to 20 Regina-area high school students held a rally in support of teachers outside of the Saskatchewan Legislature building, holding colourful placards and encouraging motorists to honk their support as they passed by. Dozens of teachers took up the effort in the afternoon, marching with signs and placards of their own up and down Albert Street and congregating on the steps in front.

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