Standstill reached between Government of Saskatchewan, Teachers’ Bargaining Committee
Global News
Bargaining committees between the Government of Saskatchewan and the Saskatchewan Teachers' Federation have reached a stalemate.
An impasse has been reached in the negotiations between the Government of Saskatchewan’s Trustee Bargaining Committee and the Teachers’ Bargaining Committee, according to a release from the Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation Monday.
The federation said a vote will be held for teachers on Oct. 24 and 25 regarding sanctions.
“The government is leaving us no other option. We’ve met nine times and there has been no significant movement on issues that are important to teachers, students and families,” said Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation president Samantha Becotte.
“We always want to reach an agreement through negotiations. And we will return to the table, day or night, anytime the government is prepared to actually negotiate. But as it stands today, this is pointless.”
Global News has reached out to the provincial government for comment.
Discussions around teacher contract talks are not new, with the Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation saying back in July that they were being stonewalled on what they consider some of their biggest issues.
“We are seeing an increase of violence in our classes, unfortunately,” Becotte said back in July, noting that some students have trouble regulating their emotions, which can sometimes lead to violence.
“If we don’t see protections around class size and complexity, then I just see further erosion to public education, less support, fewer teachers and higher class sizes.”