By Manu Kaushik

Copyright indiatimes

NYT News ServiceCollege students

Alberta teachers have overwhelmingly rejected the provincial government’s latest contract proposal, setting the stage for a potential provincewide strike next week that could disrupt classes for more than 700,000.The Alberta Teachers’ Association (ATA), representing roughly 51,000 educators across the province, announced Monday that 90 percent of voting members opposed the deal. Union president Jason Schilling called the result a “historical no,” reflecting widespread frustration among teachers.“Teachers have been told time and time again the government will make it right the next time,” Schilling said. “Well, the next time is here.”The government’s offer included a 12 percent pay increase over four years, a commitment to hire 3,000 additional teachers to address overcrowded classrooms, and coverage for COVID-19 vaccine costs. However, union leaders said the proposal fell short of addressing the systemic issues facing Alberta’s education system.“Public education is in a crisis right now,” Schilling said. “Teachers are looking for something more concrete, more sustainable, that will help them meet the needs of their students.” He also emphasized that over the past decade, salary increases for teachers have averaged less than 6 percent while workloads have grown significantly.Live EventsFinance Minister Nate Horner expressed disappointment at the vote, saying the government’s offer was designed to address key concerns, including classroom overcrowding. “With over 50,000 new students added to our education system in the last two years, these investments were needed now more than ever,” Horner said in a statement. Horner also urged union leaders to clarify what teachers are seeking in negotiations, noting that the rejection marks the second time teachers have turned down the government’s proposals this year.“I encourage the union’s leadership to take time to meet with their members and gain clarity on what teachers are seeking out of a deal. Students and families deserve stability.”Premier Danielle Smith said on social media that she would outline supports for families in preparation for a possible strike. Justice Minister Mickey Amery previously indicated that a back-to-work order could be considered as a last resort, echoing steps taken during Alberta’s last provincewide teachers’ strike in 2002. At that time, teachers were ordered back to work, but the government’s order was later overturned in court.Opposition NDP education critic Amanda Chapman criticized the United Conservative Party government for repeatedly offering the same terms. Chapman called for the government to return to the negotiating table in good faith to deliver a fair and sustainable deal for teachers.“It is disappointing the United Conservative Party government has let it get to this point and now thousands of Alberta teachers will hit the picket lines, while parents are scrambling to make arrangements, and our kids’ learning is put on hold,” Chapman said.While the union remains open to continued discussions, all indications point to a strike beginning Monday, which would affect classrooms in roughly 2,500 schools across the province.Add as a Reliable and Trusted News Source Add Now!
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(You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel)Read More News onAlberta teachersgovernment contractprovincewide strikeclassroom overcrowdingAlberta Teachers’ Associationeducation system crisisOpposition NDP educationUnited Conservative PartySocial media(Catch all the Business News, Breaking News, Budget 2025 Events and Latest News Updates on The Economic Times.) Subscribe to The Economic Times Prime and read the ET ePaper online….moreless

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