SASKATOON – Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation have announced more job action, providing 48 hours notice of a one-day, province-wide withdrawal of noon-hour supervision happening Thursday, Feb. 8.
It means teachers will not be available to supervise students who are eating lunch at school or taking part in noon-hour activities, according to the union. Teachers will leave the building during each school’s designated lunch break period.
“A decade of government funding cuts has meant parents in several school divisions are forced to pay out-of-pocket fees of $100 or more for their kids to stay at school over the noon hour,” said Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation President Samantha Becotte in a statement.
“School boards face the impossible task of balancing government funding shortfalls and the rising costs of services that students need. Students and families are caught in the middle, and I encourage every parent and caregiver in the province to let our government officials know how they feel about that.”
In their news release the union is encouraging concerned parents and caregivers to contact their MLAs and elected school board trustees to urge the government to get back to the bargaining table; they are also encouraged to show support for education and teachers by signing up for “Tell Them Tuesday.”
This latest job action is in addition to the rotating strikes happening at various locations across Saskatchewan. A second round of rotating strikes is happening this Wednesday in locations including Saskatoon, Creighton, Prairie Spirit and Northern Lights school divisions.
Meanwhile, there is no word on whether or when both sides will get back to the bargaining table.
