STF members display their signs along Idylwyld Drive in Saskatoon on Feb. 7, 2024. (Mia Holowaychuk/650 CKOM)

By CJME News

STF president says Moe ‘avoiding accountability’ with education budget announcement

Mar 7, 2024 | 12:33 PM

The head of Saskatchewan’s teachers’ union says Premier Scott Moe is avoiding accountability by increasing education funding without enshrining it in a new contract.

Moe made the surprise announcement Wednesday evening, saying the budget – which is to be delivered March 20 – will include more than $356 million for classroom supports.

The premier said that represents an increase of more than $45 million over last year.

Moe said he announced before the budget day in the hope that the Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation would suspend its ongoing sanctions – which have included rotating strikes and the withdrawal of both noon-hour supervision and extracurricular support – and return to the bargaining table.

Federation president Samantha Becotte said that’s not happening.

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“The Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation has been clear: We will not return to the bargaining table until government and Saskatchewan School Boards Association are willing to include a firm, irrevocable commitment in the collective agreement,” Becotte said in a statement.