The Alberta Teachers’ Association (ATA) and the provincial government are set to resume formal negotiations the Thanksgiving long weekend, marking the first formal meetings since the province-wide teacher strike began on October 6.
The strike, the largest in Alberta’s history, involves approximately 51,000 teachers and affects 740,000 students across 2,500 schools.
The dispute centers on issues such as wages, classroom conditions, and support for students with complex needs.
The government’s latest offer, which was overwhelmingly rejected by teachers, included a 12% wage increase over four years and a commitment to hire 3,000 new teachers.
Alberta’s Finance Minister, Nate Horner, expressed satisfaction that the union has agreed to return to the bargaining table, hoping any offer presented would be “reasonable, fair” and reflect teachers’ terms.
A mediator is expected to participate in the upcoming negotiations.
In the meantime, a lockout order from the province has taken effect, further impacting the education system.
Keith Hopper, Trending 55
