The Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation is currently negotiating a new collective agreement with the province. STF members are voting on a new mandate that would allow the union to implement job action beyond the current school year, as the existing mandate expires on June 30. Bargaining talks resumed after 90 per cent of STF voters opposed the province’s final offer, which included salary increases over a three-year period and an accountability framework. If the new mandate is approved by teachers, it will remain in effect until an agreement is reached between the two parties.
The government is being urged to provide a new mandate that includes classroom complexity, and there is a suggestion that binding arbitration could help resolve the dispute. Education Minister Jeremy Cockrill expressed disappointment with the outcome of the vote and highlighted the government’s dedication to education through recent budget promises and a multi-year funding agreement. Informal talks between the two parties took place earlier in the week, leading to their return to the bargaining table. STF has decided not to comment on the situation to the media while negotiations are ongoing, with an update on the result of the sanctions mandate vote to be provided on Thursday evening.
The bargaining talks between STF and the province have resumed in an effort to reach a new collective agreement. STF members are currently voting on a new mandate that could allow for job action to be taken beyond the current school year. The province’s final offer, which was rejected by a majority of STF voters, included salary increases over three years and an accountability framework related to classroom supports. The government has been called upon to consider classroom complexity in their new mandate, and the possibility of using binding arbitration to resolve the dispute has been suggested.
Education Minister Jeremy Cockrill has expressed disappointment with the rejection of the province’s offer by STF members. He emphasized the government’s commitment to education through recent budget promises and a multi-year funding agreement. Both parties engaged in informal talks earlier in the week, leading to a return to formal negotiations at the bargaining table. STF has chosen not to engage with the media or comment on the situation during these talks, with an update on the result of the sanctions mandate vote scheduled to be provided on Thursday evening.
The outcome of the vote on the new mandate will determine whether STF will be able to implement job action beyond the current school year. If approved by teachers, the mandate will remain in effect until a new collective agreement is reached with the province. The government is being urged to address classroom complexity in their new mandate, and the potential use of binding arbitration to resolve the dispute has been suggested. Both parties have returned to the bargaining table after informal talks earlier in the week, with STF refraining from making any public statements during negotiations. An update on the result of the sanctions mandate vote is expected to be provided on Thursday evening.
