Local teachers on the picket line. (File photo/paNOW Staff)

By paNOW Staff

Ongoing job action

One-day strike coming Wednesday, withdrawal of extracurricular activities later this week for Sask. Teachers

Mar 18, 2024 | 9:59 AM

Saskatchewan teachers will have a one-day strike and withdraw from extracurricular activities for two days this week.

The Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation (STF) gave the 48-hour notice Monday morning that there will be a one-day province-wide strike on Wednesday, March 20 and a two-day withdrawal from extracurricular activities this Thursday and Friday.

“Government’s unwillingness to work with teachers in finding any path forward has forced this decision, which will impact students and communities both big and small across the province,” STF President Samantha Becotte said in a media release. “Teachers have done their part to avoid more job action. We have bargained in good faith, and we have been clear that our opening proposals are only a starting point for discussion. We invited the government to take part in binding arbitration on the single issue of class size and complexity, but the education minister rejected the offer within hours.”

“The refusal of Minister Cockrill and Premier Moe to compromise are to blame for the strike and students’ loss of extracurricular activities in the days to come,” she added.

The strike will take place on the same day as the provincial budget announcement. Thousands of teachers are expected to take part in the strike and demonstrations will be held at several locations throughout the province.

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The withdrawal of extra-curricular activities will mean teachers will not provide voluntary services in the organization, supervision or facilitation of activities including athletics, field trips, student travel, grad preparations and more. HOOPLA, the provincial high school basketball championships, and the upcoming Optimist Band Festival will be part of those service withdrawals.

“Extracurricular activities are an incredibly valuable part of the school experience for both students and teachers, but the education of children and youth is always our first priority,” Becotte said. “We can no longer watch the decline of our students’ learning environment while government ignores reality and refuses to make a commitment to predictable, sustainable funding for prekindergarten to Grade 12 education.”

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panews@pattisonmedia.com