(Nigel Maxwell/paNOW Staff)

By paNOW Staff

PICKET LINES

Teachers Federation declines bargaining invitation as strikes hit P.A. and North Battleford

Feb 16, 2024 | 10:21 AM

The Saskatchewan Teachers Federation (STF) has turned down an invitation to resume bargaining with the provincial government.

In a statement issued Friday morning, the STF claimed that they asked the Government-Trustee Bargaining Committee (GTBC) if they had a renewed mandate. The Committee said they did not, which prompted the Teachers’ Bargaining Committee (TBC) to decline the invitation.

“The TBC reiterated that it is prepared to return to the table at any time but expects the GTBC to have authority to negotiate on all issues of importance to teachers and Saskatchewan families,” said STF President Samantha Becotte in the statement.

This news comes on the same day that teachers in the Prince Albert and North Battleford areas are on strike and noon-hour supervision is being withdrawn across the province.

Becotte said she took issue with comments from Education Minister Jeremy Cockrill in which he said the union isn’t ready to talk about the issues on the table.

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“Teachers want to be at the bargaining table and making progress toward an agreement,” Becotte said in the statement.

“However, the Minister’s statement leads us to believe there’s no value in meeting if the GTBC isn’t ready to discuss issues that are important to teachers. When the GTBC has a new mandate and is prepared to discuss all of the issues, including class size and complexity, we are ready to return day or night.”

The primary sticking points in negotiations have been salary, as well as class size and classroom complexity – the number of students who require additional support.

The STF also said that unless a deal is done, further job action will commence following the end of the February break on the 26th. The union will give 48 hours notice on the specific job action it will take.

Meanwhile, teachers are holding demonstrations Friday in front of the offices of Premier Scott Moe in Shellbrook and Education Minister Jeremy Cockrill in North Battleford from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

–With files from 980 CJME

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panews@pattisonmedia.com