The Alberta government plans to introduce legislation next week to end the ongoing teachers’ strike in the province, Premier Danielle Smith announced on Thursday. The government has given notice of Bill 2, called the Back to School Act, through an order paper posted on the Alberta Legislature’s website.
Smith emphasized the importance of getting students back to school, stating that the teachers’ union has not been cooperative in this regard. Despite the possibility of reaching an agreement before Monday, the government believes it is unlikely due to the widening gap in negotiations.
The strike, which commenced on October 6, has affected approximately 51,000 public, separate, and francophone school teachers and left around 750,000 students out of their classrooms for over two weeks. The key issues in the negotiations include salaries, classroom sizes, and support for students facing various challenges.
The government has proposed a 12% wage increase over four years and the hiring of 3,000 additional teachers to alleviate overcrowded classrooms. However, the teachers have rejected this offer, leading to the impending back-to-work legislation.
Opposition leader Naheed Nenshi criticized the government’s move, labeling it as an attack on teachers, public education, and workers’ unions. The teachers’ union expressed anticipation of the legislation and emphasized the need for a negotiated settlement.
The possibility of legal action in response to the legislation was mentioned, with teachers considering their options upon reviewing the bill. Thousands of educators gathered at a rally in downtown Edmonton, advocating for better support for the public education system.
The government aims to expedite the legislative process to end the strike promptly, while opposition parties raise concerns about rushing the resolution through legislation. Education Minister Demetrios Nicolaides hopes for a quick return to school for students once the bill is passed.