Minister for Education Jeremy Cockrill. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Heywood Yu)

By battlefordsNOW Staff

Binding Arbitration

Teachers Federation propose binding arbitration as path forward

Mar 14, 2024 | 12:21 PM

Binding arbitration may be a way forward if the Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation (STF) has its way.

In a news release, the STF proposed that should the provincial government agree to it as a way to deal with class size and complexity, they would be willing to suspend job action and move forward with negotiations at the bargaining table.

“We are putting forward a fair, objective, and neutral path to resolve this single-issue dispute. If government agrees to binding arbitration for class size and complexity, we will return to negotiations and all extracurricular activities, including Hoopla, band festivals, trips and graduation celebrations, can proceed,” said Samantha Becotte, STF president.

If agreeable, the federation would be willing to vote on a tentative agreement “while awaiting the arbitrator’s decision on class size and complexity. The arbitrator’s decision would then be added to the agreement.”

The decision must be made, however by Mar. 17. If not, events like Hoopla, which starts next week, will be one of the extracurriculars that will face the effects of the sanctions.

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“We’re asking Minister (Jeremy) Cockrill to agree so that we can reach resolution,” said Becotte. “Every day the Minister delays his decision means students are missing out on more activities, lost deposits and the cancellation of events.”

According to the Canadian Press, Education Minister Jeremy Cockrill rejected the latest offer, saying the province does not want to go into binding arbitration because issues of classroom size and additional student supports should not be in the collective agreement.

While the provincial government has acknowledged the issues, Cockrill has said those areas are best left to local school divisions to manage.

The government said this year’s education budget will see a large increase to add more classroom support staff, and guaranteed a base amount of $356.6 million for classroom supports each year for four years in an agreement with the Saskatchewan School Boards Association, which represents the school divisions that will receive the funds.

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cjnbnews@pattisonmedia.com