The Saskatchewan Teachers Federation has announced its next steps in job action, as it continues to negotiate with the provincial government over a new contract.
On Monday, there will be a province wide ban on extra-curricular activities. That means teachers will not take part in things like sports, drama, music, band, science clubs, intramurals, rehearsals, student leadership activities, planning for graduation celebrations, book fairs, and other clubs and activities. All extracurricular activities that take place before school, during lunch hour, after school and in the evening are included.
Teachers will also continue their rotating strikes a various school divisions on Monday.
The divisions effected are: All schools in Northern Lights School Division, all schools in Northwest School Division,
all schools in Prairie South School Division, all schools in Saskatoon Public Schools and Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools, and all schools in Living Sky School Division, Light of Christ Catholic School Division and Sakewew High School (North Battleford).
“Teachers are passionate about the work we do to support students in classrooms and within the school community. We never want to be in a situation where opportunities for students are impacted; however, this government has left us no other options,” says Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation President Samantha Becotte. “Beginning with a one-day withdrawal of these services is not something that we take lightly. Government needs to recognize the magnitude of the situation they have caused and continue to contribute to, get serious, and return to the table ready to bargain on the real issues impacting Saskatchewan students. Once again, I encourage parents, families and community members to reach out to their MLAs, the Minister of Education and the Premier to voice their concerns.”
Becotte says there were numerous attempts by the government’s bargaining committee to get back to the table in the last couple of weeks, but teachers soon found out the negotiations would not include their biggest issue, “Class size and class complexity”. Its an issue the Sask Party Government has said is better handled on a division by division level, instead of at the provincial bargaining table.
