News

A middle years teacher is sharing her own experience with violence in Saskatchewan schools. While teaching in Saskatoon last year, a first-year teacher named Shelby was attacked by a student in an elevated emotional state while passing through the hallway during recess. Shelby was left with substantial injuries, including a severe concussion, broken nose and multiple bruises.

In several Canadian provinces, articles to address class size, complexity, classroom violence and/or supports for students are included in collective bargaining agreements for teachers. While Saskatchewan teachers have been clear that they will not accept a new agreement unless it addresses these items, the Government of Saskatchewan continues to refuse to bargain on these issues. Today, teacher representatives from several provinces joined the Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation to share how the inclusion of these bargaining items in their collective agreements has improved conditions for students and their learning conditions.

As students, families and teachers begin the February break on Monday, teachers are notifying the public and government to expect an escalation of job sanctions after classes resume on February 26. Teachers will provide a minimum of 48 hours’ notice prior to any further job action.

The absence of a new bargaining mandate for the Government-Trustee Bargaining Committee has resulted in the Teachers’ Bargaining Committee declining an invitation to resume negotiations.

The Teachers’ Bargaining Committee and Government-Trustee Bargaining Committee were scheduled to resume negotiations today at 5:30 p.m. This afternoon, the provincial government advised they would not be returning to continue negotiations. As such, an impasse has been reached and sanctions will be reinstated starting on Friday, February 16.

The Saskatchewan Teacher’s Federation is suspending all job action after being invited to resume negotiations by the Government-Trustee Bargaining Committee.

Newly released data from the Ministry of Education paints a bleak picture of the supports, including teachers, that are available for the province’s growing student population.  

As President of the Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation, I’d like to acknowledge the news that a total of four former Ministers of Education – Gord Wyant, Dustin Duncan, Don Morgan and Donna Harpauer – will not seek re-election this fall.

Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation members representing six local teachers’ associations will take part in a one-day strike on Wednesday, February 7. Members of the following local associations will be at demonstration sites between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.

Today, teachers are giving 48 hours’ notice of a one-day, provincewide withdrawal of noon-hour supervision that will take place Thursday, February 8.