Wind chill temperatures reaching -34ºC didn't stop hundreds of teachers from in and around Moose Jaw rallying along Thatcher Dr. from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Jan. 16 in what is only the second strike in the history of the Saskatchewan Teachers' Federation (STF).
"There's hundreds of us," said Clayton Boyer, president of the Holy Trinity Teachers' Association. "There's probably over a hundred from Holy Trinity (Catholic School Division), I'm guessing two to three hundred from Prairie South (School Division), and then we have supporters, family, friends, like, my daughter is here and I've seen spouses here. We're encouraging people to bring whoever they can convince to come out in the cold to help support us."
The one-day strike action follows seven months of stalled negotiations between the STF and the Government-Trustee Bargaining Committee (GTBC). The Sask Party government's firm stance has been that teachers in Saskatchewan are more than adequately paid, while issues of classroom complexity, composition, and educational support positions cannot be addressed as part of collective bargaining.
Education minister Jeremy Cockrill responded to the initial strike announcement on Jan. 11 by saying in an emailed statement that “We are disappointed that the Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation executive continues to work toward a strike while the Government Trustee Bargaining Committee (GTBC) remains at the bargaining table, ready to talk.
“Outside of that process, we have demonstrated our commitment to addressing classroom complexity with record funding and two brand new pilot projects announced just this week,” he continued. “We know that disrupting learning is not what is in the best interest of students, (while) that deals are reached at the bargaining table, not on the picket line.”
The STF has organized more than 40 demonstration sites across the province for the day, with thousands of teachers expected to turn out. In a statement timed to coincide with the beginning of demonstrations, STF president Samantha Becotte rebutted Cockrill's position. She said the government has forced the strike, and that it is government negotiators refusing to come to the table rather than the STF.
“It is extremely unfortunate that government has pushed this issue to the point that it is now impacting schools,” Becotte said. “This is the very last thing any teacher wants to do. Teachers and supporters throughout the province are braving the cold today to advocate for their students and ensure they get the resources they desperately need. This government simply cannot continue to ignore these growing concerns.
"Public support for teachers and education has been incredible, and deeply appreciated by our members," Becotte added. "If we are going to hold government accountable for their responsibility to Saskatchewan’s kids, we need people from all corners of the province to continue sharing their voices. Government will hear us loud and clear: Enough is enough.”
Bundled-up teachers and supporters registered for the rally action on Thatcher with local STF executives at Hillcrest Golf Club and in the parking lot of Superstore. Kent Clegg, vice-president of the Prairie South Teachers' Association, was welcoming teachers and supporters at Superstore. He said he and his fellow teachers were there to push the government to address real needs and concerns.
"Funding has dropped by about $2,500 per student in the province over the last eight years," Clegg said. "We need them to see that we really could use a top-up to get things back to a reasonable level, where kids are getting what they need in the classroom.
"We do have concerns, and we feel it's necessary for us to be out here to show (the government) that we are united in our message of the changes we're looking for."
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