Sask. teachers say ministry emails show concerted effort to undermine early bargaining efforts

The Saskatchewan Teachers' Federation (STF) is alleging the timing of a province-wide messaging campaign proves the government has undermined efforts to bargain in good faith since the very beginning.

The Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation (STF) is alleging the timing of a province-wide messaging campaign proves the government has undermined efforts to bargain in good faith since the very beginning.

While speaking with reporters on Wednesday, STF President Samantha Becotte revealed the federation received documents as part of a freedom of information request into the province’s controversial billboard campaign.

The documents consisted of more than 100 pages of emails between Ministry of Education officials and Brown Communications Group.

The emails – which in many cases were almost entirely redacted – centered around the ad campaign, according to the subject lines of the messages.

The emails were dated from June 21 to Aug. 28, 2023.

Becotte said the communications are proof the province sought to undermine bargaining efforts early into the negotiation process.

“I truly believe they have never come to bargaining with the intention of negotiating in good faith,” she said. “The billboards first came up in July, and we have a FOIP request that shows planning was well underway in June before the GTBC (Government Trustee Bargaining Committee) even presented their proposals at the table.”