Teachers picket at the Saskatchewan Legislative Building during the ongoing contract dispute. (650 CKOM file photo)

By CJME News

OFF THE TABLE

Government rejects STF offer to resolve class size, complexity dispute with binding arbitration

Mar 15, 2024 | 5:56 AM

The provincial government has rejected an offer from the Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation that could have ended the group’s ongoing sanctions.

On Thursday, the federation said it would suspend its sanctions and return to the bargaining table if the provincial government agrees to binding arbitration on the issues of class size and complexity.

Union president Samantha Becotte said arbitration is an equitable solution, as neither side seems willing to budge on those issues.

“We are putting forward a fair, objective and neutral path to resolve this single-issue dispute,” Becotte said in a statement.

“If government agrees to binding arbitration for class size and complexity, we will return to negotiations and all extracurricular activities, including Hoopla, band festivals, trips and graduation celebrations, can proceed.”

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Hoopla — the Saskatchewan High Schools Athletic Association’s provincial basketball championships — is set for March 21-23 in Moose Jaw.

Class size and classroom complexity – the number of students who require additional help – have been among the top issues for the federation during its ongoing dispute with the province.

With negotiations stalled, the union has been implementing sanctions, including rotating strikes and withdrawal of noon-hour and extracurricular supervision.

According to the Canadian Press, Education Minister Jeremy Cockrill rejected the latest offer, saying the province does not want to go into binding arbitration because issues of classroom size and additional student supports should not be in the collective agreement.

While the provincial government has acknowledged the issues, Cockrill has said those areas are best left to local school divisions to manage.

The government said this year’s education budget will see a large increase to add more classroom support staff, and guaranteed a base amount of $356.6 million for classroom supports each year for four years in an agreement with the Saskatchewan School Boards Association, which represents the school divisions that will receive the funds.

Becotte called that a “backdoor agreement,” and promised sanctions would continue until the funding was enshrined in a contract with teachers.

If the government had agreed to arbitration on those two issues, Becotte said negotiations could continue for other items like salary. A tentative agreement could even be brought to union members before the arbitrator’s decision is announced, the federation noted.

The federation said it’s important that the government agree before Saturday, implying that Hoopla could be disrupted.

“As the STF has stated previously, sanction actions will increase as the impasse continues and many important extracurricular activities and events are fast approaching, starting with Hoopla next week,” the union said.

Becotte said any such disruptions can be blamed on Cockrill and Premier Scott Moe.

“To put it in clear terms: If government refuses binding arbitration, then Minister Cockrill and Premier Moe are choosing to cancel school trips, graduation planning, band festivals, Hoopla and so many more of this year’s activities that bring joy to our students and school communities,” Becotte said.

“Every day the Minister delays his decision means students are missing out on more activities, lost deposits and the cancellation of events.”

According to the Canadian Press, Cockrill said the union is on the hook for events cancelled due to its sanctions.

— With files from The Canadian Press