STF President Samantha Becotte. The STF says that if the province plans to keep its promised funding, they should be able to put it in the contract. (Screenshot/Zoom conference)

By Susan McNeil

Teachers strike

Teachers disappointed but not surprised by back door deal with boards

Mar 8, 2024 | 3:21 PM

The Sask. Teacher’s Federation said it is disappointed but not surprised that the province offered the Sask. School Boards Assoc. (SSBA) a deal involving class sizes and supports and gave them 24-hours notice to sign it.

Teachers have been bargaining on those issues for months unsuccessfully and say that while the deal with the SSBA is a start, it needs to also be included in the collective agreement in order them to stop job action. Having the funds part of the collective agreement means that there is a dispute resolution process and accountability.

“The STF is prepared to return to the bargaining table if government is willing to present their agreement, including providing assurances that boards of education cannot use these new funds for any other uses other than student supports,” said STF president Samantha Becotte.

Friday morning, the Ministry confirmed that they had a deal that would add just over $46 million annually for the next four years. However, the deal gives the province an out it they want it.

The screenshot shows part of the deal between the province and SSBA that allows for changes. The province can reduce school boards or eliminate them with legislation.

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As it stands, there is no guarantee any money announced by the province can very easily be clawed back or used by boards to fill gaps in other areas.

If the funds are restricted, they must be spent for their intended purpose. If they are not, school boards can choose to spend the money elsewhere, including servicing debt, capital projects or hiring more superintendents.

The asterisks denote years where the funding is subject to appropriation. (screen shot/ Multi-Year Funding Agreement)

In addition, the STF would like to see a reporting mechanism attached to the money so that the public can know the money is going where it is supposed to.

If the province is genuine in its statement that they will fund the two issues, then they should be able to add a clause into the contract, Becotte said.

Teachers would also like to see the funding tied to student enrolment increases and inflation rather than remaining the same and make sure the money is not subject to appropriation for other projects.

“The premier has talked at length about the growth in this province and that he hopes to see that population continue to grow and as our population grows, the people coming to this province are going to bring children with them and we want to make sure that their needs are supported as well,” she said.

“So today we are encouraging the Minister of Education to bring an amended version of this menu to the table where bargaining can happen and we can put it into the contract, sanctions can end and we can get a deal,” Becotte said.

Teachers were not surprised to see the Education ministry try an end run around the negotiation points but are still unhappy about it.

“We’re disappointed that the minister continues to search for ways to delay the dispute and avoid making meaningful commitments with teachers to ensure that students are well supported in classrooms across the province,” said Becotte.

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Next week, teachers will not provide supervision for extra-curricular activities starting Monday and continuing through Wednesday.

The STF heard through local trustees around the province that the Education Minister had given the SSBA a deal and a very short time to agree, leaving teachers out of the process.

“The Minister has repeated that the best deals happen at the bargaining table and we agree. But his words and his actions don’t align because that Minister continues to offer agreements away from the bargaining table,” Becotte said.

She also pointed out that the province took autonomy away from boards in 2009 when they removed their ability to raise money by levying property owners on their tax bills.

Becotte suggested that the SSBA may not have been given any other option by the Minister but to sign the deal.

“We’ve also seen the consequences to local school divisions and their funding following local trustees speaking out publicly about the decisions of this government,” she said.

In the end, it makes no sense for the province to be signing deals with boards about how classrooms should function without including the teachers who are actually in the class in the discussions.

“We’re definitely disappointed that teachers weren’t included. They play a vital role in this decision-making process. Teachers are the people who work with students’ day in and day out. They understand the needs of their classroom and the needs of their school and the need.”

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susan.mcneil@pattisonmedia.com