On Wednesday, some 4300 teachers in Saskatchewan will be off the job, impacting approximately 65,300 students.
Its the latest round of rotating strikes designed to put pressure on the provincial government to negotiate over “class size” and “class complexity”.
That issue is one the Sask Party Government has absolutely refused to talk about at the bargaining table with the Saskatchewan Teachers Federation. The government’s position is that is better discussed at the school division level.
On Wednesday, teachers will be off the job in the Creighton School Division, the Northern Lights School Division, Prairie Spirit School Division as well as public and catholic schools in Saskatoon.
The STF launched rotating strikes after two, one day, province wide strikes.
“Government thinks they can wait us out, but they have failed to account for the most important factors.
Teachers are fed up and are united. There is strong and growing support for the action we’re taking
because students, parents, businesses and communities know we all deserve better,” says
Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation President Samantha Becotte. “Solving the crisis in our publicly
funded schools doesn’t only give today’s students what they need, it benefits all of us. Saskatchewan’s
economy is strong and today’s students are the workforce of tomorrow. Employers want to be able to
hire talented and educated employees from within the province.”
Both sides say they are willing to talk, but neither side seems willing to move from their intrenched positions.
