STF: Government-SSBA MOU Must Be Included in Collective Agreement

Earlier today, the Government of Saskatchewan and the Saskatchewan School Boards Association announced that they have signed a deal for classroom funding, outside of the ongoing collective bargaining process with teachers.

“We’re encouraged that government appears to be finally listening to teachers, parents, students and the community by taking steps to provide predictable, sustainable funding for public education,” said STF President Samantha Becotte. “If government is willing to negotiate on the items addressed within the memorandum of understanding and bring this to back to the table, we believe an agreement can be reached quickly.”

The STF is prepared to return to the table and cease sanctions immediately if government is willing to:

• Provide assurances that boards of education cannot use these new funds for anything other than student supports. If funds are unrestricted, as they currently are in the MOU, they could be used for other items, such as servicing debt, rather than being earmarked to assist students.
• Tie funding to increases in enrolment and inflation, rather than remaining flat.
• Include a reporting mechanism on the use of these funds within school divisions to ensure transparency.
• Ensure funding is not subject to appropriation, as the MOU currently states, so that it cannot be reduced.
• Adjust the term of the MOU to align with the provincial collective agreement.

“Saskatchewan is growing and has surpassed government expectations for immigration. We have welcomed many new students to our classrooms in recent years and anticipate this will continue for years to come. If funding doesn’t keep pace with enrolment, the same problem we see in classrooms today will continue in the future,” says Samantha Becotte. “We are extremely proud of the 13,500 Saskatchewan teachers, and countless supporters across the country, who have pressured the Government of Saskatchewan to finally acknowledge their responsibility for publicly funded education, but we need assurances, in writing, that this funding will meet the desperate need.”

Teachers call on government and SSBA provincial leadership to commit to this new funding within the language of a provincial collective agreement. Supporters can join this call by visiting www.tellthemtuesday.com.