Sask. teachers resoundingly reject province's contract offer

Saskatchewan Teachers' Federation (STF) members have voted to reject a contract offer after months of strife with the province. 

The STF confirmed the result Thursday evening, saying that 92.2 per cent of its members voted over the previous two days, with 90 per cent of them rejecting the province's offer.

The STF said it has issued an invitation to the government's bargaining committee to resume negotiations this coming Monday. The STF also said it would host a news conference Friday at 10:30 a.m. CST.

"The message to government and the Saskatchewan School Boards Association is crystal clear: their so-called 'final offer' is unacceptable and does a disservice to students and teachers," said STF president Samantha Becotte in a release.

"We need a deal that guarantees the government's full, unwavering commitment to the future of public schools beyond the election cycle. Anything less is untenable.

"We are nearing the end of a school year spent under the shadow of an intransigent government that seems to disregard the largest job sanctions ever undertaken by Saskatchewan teachers and ignore students' needs. No more backroom deals and no more 'final offers.'"

Minister of Education Jeremy Cockrill said he is disappointed in the result and called the offer fair, saying it reflected the best interests of students, teachers, parents and taxpayers.

"The best deal will be reached at the bargaining table, and both sides should immediately agree to return to the table and avoid any further sanctions that could jeopardize instructional time and important milestone events for Saskatchewan students," Cockrill said in a statement.

Official Opposition Leader Carla Beck also weighed in on the vote results, saying they send a clear message to the Saskatchewan Party government.

"Teachers, parents and now even students know [Premier] Scott Moe doesn't care about education and are ready to do something about it. Our next generation deserves better," Beck said in a statement.

The province's three-year collective agreement offer featured a three per cent salary increase in the first and second years, with the first increase retroactive to September 2023, and then a two per cent increase in the third year.

The core issues the STF and province have butted heads over during negotiations are class size and complexity.

The contract included an article stating that an accountability framework — laid out as part of a memorandum of understanding to ensure provincial funding doled out to the Saskatchewan School Boards Association would benefit students — would be honoured.

The STF and the government have struggled to come to an agreement since negotiations began last May.