Braid: The foes edge closer to a teacher strike or lockout. It must be averted.
Alberta teachers are on the verge of a strike as negotiations continue between the Alberta Teachers’ Association (ATA) and the Teachers’ Employer Bargaining Association (TEBA). The potential strike could have a significant impact on students who have already been affected by school closures due to COVID-19.
ATA president Jason Schilling emphasized that teachers do not want to strike and are eager to be back in the classroom with their students. However, the funding disparities between Alberta and other provinces, such as Ontario, are a major concern. Alberta currently has the lowest per-student education spending in Canada, with a gap of almost $5,000 per student compared to Ontario.
Premier Danielle Smith argues that provincial spending per student is actually higher, ranging from $12,000 to $14,000. She suggests that if there is a lack of funding reaching the classroom, it is the fault of the elected school boards. Smith’s comments have raised concerns about potential government intervention in education management.
The dispute also involves other issues besides funding, such as the government’s “book ban” policy, which requires libraries to remove materials deemed “age-inappropriate.” This has led to discussions about teachers having to remove certain books from their classroom shelves until they are categorized appropriately.
The potential strike has garnered a 95% strike vote from ATA members, with picket lines expected to go up before October 7. On the other hand, TEBA, dominated by government appointees, could also lock out teachers as early as Friday.
The ongoing negotiations highlight the strained relationship between teachers and the government, with the potential for the situation to escalate further. The last major teachers’ strike in 2002 ended with a government back-to-work order and legislation prohibiting strikes for 18 months.
As the negotiations continue, the hope is that a resolution can be reached to avoid a strike that could further disrupt the education of Alberta students. The generation of students and teachers in 2025 have already faced significant challenges, and a strike is the last thing they need.
