Saskatchewan Teachers Federation President Samantha Becotte. (Lisa Schick/980 CJME file photo)

By Derek Craddock

LOOKING FOR A DEAL

STF defends job action as concerns over disruptions rise

Feb 26, 2024 | 3:00 PM

The head of Saskatchewan’s teachers union says she had heard the concerns from parents regarding their job action, but said it’s the best way to get the government’s attention.

President of the Teachers Federation, Samantha Becotte, made those remarks during a media address after they announced more sanctions for schools on Thursday.

On that day, noon-hour supervision will be withdrawn for a handful of school divisions including the North East School Division, Creighton School Division, and Lloydminster public and Catholic Schools.

Already sanctions have been announced for Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday with rotating strikes, extra-curricular activities and noon-hour supervision being cancelled.

Many times during the media address, Becotte said they, as a union, do not want to make these decisions but said the government continues to leave them with no choice.

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“Our strategy is intended to get government back to the table and school boards back to the table ready to negotiate and address these issues,” said Becotte referring to issues of class size and complexity, something the province has said does not belong in a teachers’ bargaining agreement.

“We are fighting for better supports for every single child across our province and as a parent I want one that’s best for my kid and that means supporting all of the other kids in the classroom and all of the other kids in the school.”

The teachers’ union and the provincial government have been negotiating a new contract since the previous deal expired in August.

The STF launched one-day strikes and rotating strikes in mid-January but ceased all sanctions on Feb. 7 when the government invited the union back to the bargaining table.

Talks broke down Feb. 13 and both sides accused the other of walking away from the talks. The union subsequently reinstituted the sanctions, including rotating strikes and the withdrawal of lunch-hour supervision and extracurricular activities.

When asked if a permanent strike was an option for teachers instead of rotating job action, Becotte said that all scenarios are being looked at.

“I guess a better question would be ‘why is it taking the significant amount of action?’ I hope you’re also asking the government of why are they not coming to the table ready to negotiate better supports for students so that students.”

In a statement sent to paNOW, the Ministry of Education said it’s unfortunate the union’s senior leadership is choosing job action over negotiating a deal.

“The Government-Trustee Bargaining Committee (GTBC) extended invitations every day last week to the STF to come back to the bargaining table, where negotiators had been waiting and were ready to engage in meaningful discussions,” the statement reads, reiterating the government’s previous mandate on a new salary proposal and workplace safety enhancements.

The statement goes on to say that outside of bargaining, the province has proposed an agreement with the STF to annualize the $53.1 million in additional funding for class size and complexity.

The job action has left parents scrambling to ensure their kids are looked after whether it’s during the lunch hour or during the one-day strikes.

Earlier this month, the executive director of the West Flat Citizens Group said teachers being away from work is having an impact on the community, especially single-parent families working minimum wage jobs at an hourly rate.

“Whether that’s putting food on the table, paying a bill or things like that, we see the impact because we have people already coming through the doors that are struggling and I have a hard time with that,” said Dawn Robins.

The time off from school is also affecting students, especially high school seniors missing valuable class time. That concern was brought forward by the Saskatchewan United Party shortly after the latest sanctions announcement by the STF.

Deputy Leader Jon Hromek said in a statement that both sides need to put their differences to the curb and sit down.

“The prolonged disagreement is adversely affecting students, who are ultimately bearing the brunt of the situation,” he said. “It’s time to set aside differences and focus on finding a mutually beneficial agreement for the betterment of education in Saskatchewan.”

Becotte took time to address those concerns and said as a parent herself, she feels the same anxiety that other parents might face.

“I am very concerned and even teachers who aren’t parents are concerned about the loss of instruction time and the impact that is going to have on children across the province and in addition to the lost instruction time, the lost opportunities as we have a withdrawal of extracurricular activities,” she said.

“But the significant amount of disruptions that have been created by choices of this government in underfunding education cannot continue.”

Becotte said that more than 60,000 letters and emails have been sent to the Ministry of Education, Premier Scott Moe and other MLAs calling for class size and complexity issues to be addressed and for negotiations to continue.

–With files from 980 CJME

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derek.craddock@pattisonmedia.com