STF president disappointed classroom size not in negotiations

The president of the Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation (STF) says it’s unfortunate an agreement hasn’t been reached at the bargaining table with the provincial government.

“Teachers can’t continue to do it all,” Samantha Becotte said. “We can’t be everything for everyone when we have a growing number of students, and we just want to see our kids be successful in their publicly funded schools.”

Becotte said the STF has negotiated with the provincial government nine times on a deal without any significant momentum.

On Oct. 24-25, teachers across the province are to vote on sanctions that could result in job action, like rotating strikes or halting extracurricular activities.

According to Becotte, part of the frustration is that the government refuses to include class size and composition into negotiations.

“It’s disappointing that they don’t feel it’s a negotiable issue. We continue to remain firm that it is,” said Becotte. “We need to have assurances that regardless of what year it is (and) regardless of what government is sitting, that our students have access to the professional supports that they need in education.”

The Teachers’ Bargaining Committee stated there was a 2.1 per cent increase in enrolment for the 2022-23 school year, with a decline in teachers of 0.7 per cent.

Becotte maintains that student-to-teacher ratios have been a pressing concern for much longer than a year.

“This is an issue that we have been talking about for nearly a decade and this government has refused to do anything about it up until now,” said Becotte.

Other matters on the table include salary increases, recruiting and retention strategies, and meaningful action towards Truth and Reconciliation. Plus, there’s a need for EAL teachers, school counsellors, and psychologists.

Earlier this year, the STF called out the provincial government for what the union called a “misleading” billboard campaign that claimed Saskatchewan teachers were some of the highest paid in Western Canada with average salaries of $92,000.

The STF said it takes 10 years for the average Saskatchewan teacher to make an equivalent of $92,000 a year.

Large rallies have been drawn to the Legislative Building in Regina, with hundreds advocating for better school resources. There was a smaller rally in Moose Jaw on Saturday that drew around 400 people.

Upcoming rallies are to take place in Humboldt, Saskatoon and North Battleford.

Last week, protesters took aim at Saskatchewan’s new education policies surrounding name and pronoun change policies. Becotte said the provincial government is focusing all its energy on “wedge issues.”

“We’ve seen them respond very quickly and provide policy with little public pressure on other items,” she said.

With votes on sanctions that could result in job action scheduled, Becotte is hopeful the provincial government will take notice of the vote in itself and return to the bargaining table.

“(There’s) no action from this government that shows a commitment, a real commitment, to address the increasing needs of students across the province,” said Becotte.

— With files from 980 CJME’s Roman Hayter