Saskatchewan teachers overwhelmingly reject province’s contract proposal

After months of tension and negotiations, Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation (STF) members have voted to reject a contract offer from the province, with an overwhelming 90% of members opposing the deal. The STF confirmed the results on Thursday evening, stating that 92.2% of its members participated in the vote over the previous two days.

STF president Samantha Becotte made it clear that the rejection of the offer sends a strong message to the government and the Saskatchewan School Boards Association, emphasizing that the proposed deal was unacceptable and did not prioritize the needs of students and teachers. The STF has invited the government’s bargaining committee to resume negotiations on Monday, with a news conference scheduled for Friday morning.

Minister of Education Jeremy Cockrill expressed disappointment in the outcome, calling the offer fair and in the best interests of all parties involved. However, Official Opposition Leader Carla Beck supported the STF’s decision, stating that it reflects a lack of concern for education on the part of Premier Scott Moe’s government.

The core issues at the heart of the negotiations have been class size and complexity, with the STF and the province struggling to reach an agreement since last May. Saskatchewan’s 13,500 teachers have been without a contract since August 2023 and have engaged in various forms of job action, including rotating strikes and work-to-rule actions.

As tensions continue to escalate, both sides are being urged to return to the bargaining table to avoid further disruptions to the school year. The rejection of the contract offer has raised concerns about the potential extension of the school year, as Premier Scott Moe hinted at the possibility if a deal was not reached.