On May 3, Saskatchewan Teachers' Federations announced that all STF members would be withdrawing full professional and voluntary services on Thursday, May 5, in order to take part in a one-day study day and rally.
This stems from a province-wide vote on April 13 where Saskatchewan teachers expressed overwhelming support for sanctions. On April 25, STF announced that 95 per cent of teachers voted in favour of employing sanctions as deemed necessary by the federation.
Teachers have been engaged in a protracted negotiation process for the past 11 months and have been without a contract since Aug. 31, 2010.
As a result, May 5 took 12,000 teachers away from publicly-funded schools in Saskatchewan to participate in one-day study sessions throughout the province. Gordon F. Kells teachers attended their respective session in Estevan, while Carlyle Elementary School educators were in Moosomin for the day. Additionally, Regina and area teachers took part in a "For Our Future" rally at the Legislative Building at 9 a.m. Teachers returned to full professional and voluntary services on Friday, May 6.
In a recent STF press release, Gwen Dueck, chief spokesperson for the Teachers' Bargaining Committee stated "teachers remain committed to returning to the bargaining table to conclude an agreement that affirms the worth of teachers. We do not want to employ sanctions but clearly the provincial government and the Saskatchewan School Boards Association have not heard the message of teachers."
Dueck added "our province is experiencing unprecedented growth and wealth and yet teachers are not being included in the provinces wealth. This government needs to demonstrate that education is a priority and that teachers and the services they provide are valued."
The Saskatchewan Teachers' Federation is a professional organization representing over 12,000 teachers in publicly funded schools in Saskatchewan. Teacher negotiations and the issues are clearly displayed on the STF website.
These include that teachers are asking to be properly valued for the work they do. "Teachers are professionals who have the skills, knowledge and judgement to teach. Saskatchewan teachers must have high professional qualifications and meet stringent certification standards in order to teach."
Teachers are asking for professional recognition and remuneration. "Teachers work hard to meet the diverse needs of every student despite the many out-of-school factors that affect student learning. Saskatchewan teachers want the government to value teachers for the work they do and ensure that their salaries are competitive. Whether in their first year, ninth year or 11th year of teaching, teachers in Alberta earn on average at least 20 per cent more than teachers in Saskatchewan."
Teachers are asking for their families to be valued. "Teaching is not a 9 to 3:30 profession. Teachers spend many hours in addition to time in the classroom on direct instruction. Their daily work involves, for example: preparing the necessary lesson plans; planning for and adapting to curriculum changes; responding to increased Ministry initiatives and administrative procedures; and voluntarily providing the many extracurricular activities that our children enjoy. Teachers are committed to providing high-quality service to Saskatchewan students but the ever-increasing expectations that teachers are experiencing present significant challenges for teachers and their families."
Teachers are asking for a 12 per cent increase. "Teachers expect a salary that recognizes their professionalism and is an appropriate compensation for their many responsibilities.
Teachers have experienced a loss of purchasing power over the last two decades. In constant dollars a Saskatchewan teacher's salary in 2009 was approximately 6 per cent behind teacher salaries two decades ago. Teachers are asking for a market adjustment to restore the historical relationship of teacher salaries between Manitoba and Alberta. Historically Saskatchewan teachers have been paid more than their colleagues in Manitoba and less than their counterparts in Alberta. That historical relationship no longer exists. Saskatchewan teachers on average are now the lowest paid teachers in the prairies, factoring in the cost of living. Teachers are asking for an adjustment to restore the relationship of teachers between other occupational groups such as nurses and members of the Legislative Assembly. Historically salaries of Saskatchewan teachers were aligned with those of nurses and MLAs. That is no longer the case."
As of May 9, negotiations between the government and the Saskatchewan Teachers Federation are on-going. At that time, the government was offering teachers an increase of 5.5 per cent over three years.
