The Alberta New Democratic Party (NDP) has declared its intention to oppose the government’s forthcoming move to implement a bill compelling striking teachers to return to work due to a deadlock in negotiations during the third week of the strike.
Naheed Nenshi, the leader of the NDP, is calling on the public to continue exerting pressure on the government to reach a resolution.
All eyes are now on the legislature as the fall session commences on Thursday with the delivery of the throne speech.
The ongoing strike, primarily revolving around disputes concerning salaries and working conditions, has impacted 750,000 students across 2,500 public, separate, and francophone schools.
Since October 6, teachers have been on strike, leading to what Education Minister Smith describes as an increasingly burdensome situation for students and families. In the absence of an agreement, the government may need to pass legislation to mandate the return of teachers to work as early as next week.
Jason Schilling, the president of the Alberta Teachers’ Association, expressed in an interview with CBC on Wednesday his anticipation that the premier would follow through on her commitment to legislate the return of teachers to work.
Nenshi mentioned to reporters on Wednesday that while his party could attempt procedural strategies to delay the bill’s approval, given the United Conservative Party’s majority in the legislature, there are limited options to prevent its passage.
<p"Nenshi emphasized the likelihood of a swift approval process, stating, "It is clear they intend to push it through quickly."
Nenshi disclosed that the NDP has invited teachers to observe Thursday’s throne speech from the gallery and anticipates a large turnout for a protest outside the legislature.
Deadlock over Class-size Caps
Schilling highlighted that a critical point of contention in negotiations between the Alberta Teachers’ Association and the government relates to class-size limits.
“Teachers had proposed a review of certain student-teacher ratios last week, but the government insisted on entering an enhanced mediation process instead of addressing this directly, a proposal which we rejected,” Schilling explained.
Schilling noted that the ATA had expressed willingness to return to the negotiating table last Friday but has not received a response yet.
In a statement on Wednesday, Marisa Breeze, the senior press secretary for Alberta’s Finance Minister Nate Horner, emphasized the government’s commitment to respecting the bargaining process and urged both parties to reach a fair, mutually agreed-upon settlement.
However, Breeze warned that if the ATA prolongs the strike, leading to continued absence of students from schools, the government will mandate the teachers’ return to work at the commencement of the legislative session.
Breeze reiterated the province’s call for the ATA to propose a reasonable deal so that students and teachers can resume classroom activities promptly.
Krystle