By Stephanie Froese

Public School Division hopes for no strike

Mar 31, 2011 | 4:38 PM

Saskatchewan teachers have the option to strike.

Conciliation talks between the Saskatchewan Teacher's Federation (STF) and the province's bargaining committee have ended.

STF rejected the latest offer which includes a total compensation increase of 5.5 per cent.

“I think we can safely say that our teachers would like to avoid any strike or any other actions because the teachers are there to work with the students and they do an excellent job of that,” said Alan Nunn, Saskatchewan Rivers School Division superintendent.

He said the division is disappointed that talks have broken down.

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If the teachers walk out, Saskatchewan Rivers School Division would cancel classes, Nunn said.

“There’s talk of strike and other actions. Certainly a strike is an extreme measure and it’s going to be very, very hard on our students. Classes would obviously be shut down.”

Nunn said it would be especially bad for Grade 12 students.

“They need to get the required number of hours in and get busy to write final exams and a strike of any length would certainly be disruptive.”

In the extreme case of a strike, the teachers and school board would “do everything in their power” to get the students caught back up, Nunn said.

Teachers could also take a less severe work to rule option where they would cut down extracurricular activities.

“That’s not quite a severe as a strike but certainly they are getting their message across … but we’d like to avoid that too because that hurts the students.”

While neither option is certain, Nunn said a work to rule option has been taken in past contract negations.

sfroese@panow.com