Sask. teachers, government wrap binding arbitration hearing

The binding arbitration hearing between the Teachers’ Bargaining Committee and the Government-Trustee Bargaining Committee concluded Wednesday shortly after 6 p.m. in Saskatoon.

Written positions on wages and class complexity-accountability framework were shared during the three days of presentations.

The arbitration board will now review the evidence presented from both sides and determine the terms of a new contract for teachers in Saskatchewan.

Read More:

• Ralph Goodale shares Christmas message from London’s Canada House
• Sask. teachers, government wrap binding arbitration hearing
• Saskatoon Police investigate 15th homicide of 2024 in Pleasant Hill

Once finalized, the decisions will be legally binding and incorporated into the new Provincial Collective Bargaining Agreement, alongside previously agreed-upon terms.

In July, both sides agreed to nominate Danish Ish, former University of Saskatchewan law professor and dean of the College of Law, as the arbitrator.

Each side selected one other panel member to make up the board. The STF chose retired Saskatoon Public Schools teacher and principal Dawn Harkness as its nominee, while the provincial government chose Greg Chatlain, former Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools director of education, as its nominee.

Contract talks between Saskatchewan teachers and the province began in June 2023, then stalled by October 2023.

During the last school year, there were a series of rotating strikes, work to rule sanctions and intermittent negotiations with the provincial government, and two contract offers that were ultimately rejected. 

In mid-June, the STF agreed to binding arbitration.

In a news release on Wednesday evening, the Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation said it will provide further comment once the board presents its decision.