Saskatchewan teachers have voted to renew their mandate for possible job sanctions.

After two days of voting on May 15 and 16, 83 per cent of teachers cast a vote, with 95 per cent of voters supporting further sanctions, if needed.

With this vote, the Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation has a renewed mandate to implement the necessary job sanctions until an agreement is in place. 

The sanctions renewal vote follows teachers’ rejection of the government’s offer in April for a new provincial collective bargaining agreement. 

The vote also follows renewed talks between the Teachers’ Bargaining Committee and Government-Trustee Bargaining Committee, who returned to the table earlier this week.

“We welcome the resumption of negotiations this week, and we are optimistic that teachers’ decisive rejection of the government’s contract offer and this renewed sanctions mandate will serve as a wake-up call,” says STF President Samantha Becotte. “The results of these votes demonstrate teachers’ resolve to secure a new agreement that addresses the problems students and colleagues are facing in schools. We are united in our efforts to achieve it.”

In the event of another impasse, 48 hours notice will be given before further job sanctions are implemented.