For the first time, the government is refusing to fund the cost of the duly bargained teachers’ agreement.
“This is a significant precedent that the government is setting. They had a responsibility to fund teachers, and they have entirely disregarded it. We know that this move ultimately shortchanges classrooms and it is going to have an adverse affect on students," said NDP Education critic Carla Beck.
In a committee meeting on Monday night, the Education Minister said that each and every year, the government fully funded the cost of the collective bargaining agreements with teachers. That would mean fully funding the previously agreed upon deal that saw teachers receive a 1.9 per cent increase this year – a deal that government helped negotiate and signed off on. However, on Monday, the Minister admitted that government was only planning to fund 0.5 per cent.
Beck said that without the additional funds to support collective bargained agreements, Saskatchewan schools will have to cut teachers and support staff, increase the size of classrooms, or make other tough choices about the supports and programming that our students will receive.
“This government scrapped the mid-year funding adjustment, and since then, Saskatchewan families and educators have seen nothing but cuts and clawbacks,” Beck said. “Our teachers and our kids deserve better than a minister who turns his back on his signature.”
Report: "The Return To Coal Is Both the Most Expensive Option For Ratepayers And The Most Expensive Option For Saskatchewan's Energy Future."
REGINA – Today the Pembina Institute released a new report finding that the Scott Moe’s coal plan could cost up to $32 billion and drive up power rates for Saskatchewan families.
Raises For Moe’s Insiders, Stagnant Wages For The People Providing Care
SASKATOON – Carla Beck’s team is sounding the alarms on new data from the Saskatchewan Health Authority’s (SHA) most recent annual report which shows that their executive team has received yet another pay increase, all while frontline healthcare staff have gone four years without a contract.
Ken Cheveldayoff Called Out By Workers For Failing To Act
SASKATOON – Carla Beck is demanding real leadership in the face of a potential healthcare strike this fall and demanding Scott Moe and his ignorant Labour Minister stop deflecting blame and get a deal done with frontline workers who have gone four years without a contract.