School was out on Tuesday as teachers in Prince Albert went on strike for the day as a way to convince the province to resume negotiations. (Susan McNeil/paNOW Staff)

By Susan McNeil

One day strike

P.A. teachers picket for one day at Cornerstone

Jan 16, 2024 | 3:55 PM

The Cornerstone shopping area in Prince Albert saw a lot of foot traffic, honking and handmade signs today as the teachers from 45 schools held a one-day strike.

Jean-Marc Belliveau, president of Prince Albert and area Teacher’s Association, said that despite the cold, the teachers walking were in good spirits.

“I feel that it really shows a message that we mean business. We want to see change. If we’re willing to go in minus 30 to show that we want to see change at the negotiation table, then it shows solidarity through all the teachers here,” he said.

The demonstration started at 10 a.m. and continued until 2 p.m., with many honks from the traffic going by at one of Prince Albert’s busiest intersections.

Neither teachers nor students were in school today as the STF called for a one-day strike. In P.A., staff from 45 schools gathered in the Corner Stone shopping district. (Susan McNeil/paNOW Staff)

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Also nearby is the office of Sask. Party MLA Alana Ross, who represents Prince Albert – Northcote.

The picketers that paNOW talked to said Ross did not come out to talk to them.

Demonstrations were held across the province as the Saskatchewan Teacher’s Federation notched up the pressure on the provincial government to return to negotiating.

The STF said that how classes are composed is a key negotiating point.

“If we improve class composition, we improve learning conditions for students. This is why teachers in Saskatchewan are out on the streets today, to make sure that every student in this province gets the education they deserve. An education that will prepare them for the modern world,” said Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation President Samantha Becotte in a news release this morning.

READ MORE: Conciliation report says teachers can negotiate class complexity: STF

Complexity refers to the broad range of needs that a teacher might have to work with in one classroom, which could mean anything from a serious learning disability to a student not speaking English as their first language or giftedness.

Along with complexity, teachers also want to address workload.

These are two issues the STF said the province is refusing to bargain on, despite a report by the Conciliation Board that states the federation does have the right to negotiate that point.

Teachers in Ontario and Quebec have reached deals that include both class size and complexity.

The goal on Tuesday was to give the teachers a way to show the STF that they support them, said Belliveau.

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susan.mcneil@pattisonmedia.com