SASKATOON - Today, Saskatchewan teachers were forced to strike after Scott Moe’s Sask. Party government ignored the independent Conciliation Board and refused to negotiate on nine out of ten bargaining items promoting student success.
“I think it’s incredibly disappointing that Scott Moe and the Sask Party government are refusing to get to table and at least try to bargain on nine out of ten items. Everyone could see this strike coming from miles away and the Premier still did nothing to prevent it,” said Official Opposition Leader Carla Beck. “Other provinces like Ontario and British Columbia worked collaboratively with teachers to avoid strikes. It didn’t have to come to this.”
Beck and her team of Saskatchewan NDP MLAs joined teachers and concerned parents rallying in front of government offices across the province. After nearly a decade of cuts to per-student funding, teachers are negotiating on things like class size and complexity in order to advance student success and wellbeing.
“Scott Moe and the Sask. Party have cut per-student funding for the better part of a decade, and that hurts our kids the most,” said Education Critic Matt Love. “Addressing class size and complexity will mean more one-on-one time with the teacher and more mental health supports. Our kids deserve every opportunity to grow and thrive.”
The Moe government says that issues affecting student success, such as class size and complexity, can not be addressed through collective bargaining. The Conciliation Board ruled otherwise, and provincial governments in British Columbia and Quebec have recently struck deals with teachers that put students first.
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