Sask. teachers end work-to-rule, agree to binding arbitration

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The Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation (STF) has agreed to binding arbitration on the issues of wage and “class complexity-accountability framework,” a decision that marks the end of job sanctions.

The decision comes after five days of consultation, an online townhall attended by more than 5,700 members and meetings with internal advisory groups, STF president Samantha Becotte told media Friday afternoon.

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“This has been a challenging school year, but teachers have always put the needs of all of their current students and future students first,” Becotte said. “Their support and strength have inspired us through this bargaining process.”

She went on to thank parents, caregivers, students, community groups and businesses for their support through this process.

“The belief of the wider community and the work of teachers and the value of publicly funded education has encouraged and sustained this work.”

Becotte said written confirmation from the government-trustee bargaining committee (GTBC) that the phrase “class complexity” would be added to the “accountability framework” item, which was already included in the government’s binding arbitration offer, helped turn the tide.

So did the respect the STF has for its members and their input, which she said showed significant support for binding arbitration under the new terms.

“The decision to participate in binding arbitration means STF members will not vote on a collective agreement,” according to an STF news release issued Friday. “The arbitrator’s award (decision) on the two issues under arbitration is legally binding and it will be incorporated into the final provincial collective bargaining agreement along with all other matters agreed to during negotiations.”

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Next steps could take several months to complete

Next steps include the appointment of a mutually agreed upon arbitrator, the availability of which will determine how soon a hearing can be held, the release continued. A hearing usually takes place over a few days, during which each side will present “arguments, rationale and documentation to support their position.”

The end results may take several months, the release noted, and is delivered through a written report.

“Binding arbitration will provide predictability in the lives of students, families, and teachers as the school year comes to an end, all while allowing for a path to the finalization of a new provincial collective agreement,” Education Minister Jeremy Cockrill said in a written statement Friday afternoon.

“Once again, I would like to thank families, students, and teachers for their patience throughout this process.”

In a statement Wednesday, the STF said it presented two possible paths forward on the journey toward a new collective bargaining agreement in light of a revised binding arbitration offer from the GTBC on June 8.

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Option one included continued job action and a possible return to negotiations, while option two included an agreement to binding arbitration.

That same day, the province said there had been no change from its initial binding arbitration offer.

STF decision based on survey and other feedback

The decision to agree to binding arbitration was not made through a formal vote of members, Becotte said Friday, but by the STF executive and the teachers’ bargaining committee based on an informal members’ survey conducted this week and other feedback used to gauge interest.

“We would have loved to see a negotiated agreement that addressed the needs of students and teachers, but will continue to fight for public education,” she lamented. “I think that looking forward, binding arbitration is a fair, unbiased opportunity for us to present our case.”

The work-to-rule job action that resumed Monday was set to cease by 4 p.m. Friday. While there will be no further sanctions, Becotte said she’s heard “lots of conversations” from teachers questioning whether they can add any voluntary services on top of their ever-increasing workload.

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Saskatchewan teachers have previously rejected two contract offers from the provincial government, the first by more than 90 per cent of STF members, and the second by a narrower margin of 55 per cent.

The latest offer included the creation of a special task force on classroom complexity and language referencing an accountability framework signed by the STF, Saskatchewan School Boards Association (SSBA) and provincial government and attached to the collective bargaining agreement as a memorandum of understanding.

The offer also added an extra $18 million per year to the multi-year funding agreement (MFA) signed by the government and the SSBA in March. The MFA included a budget of $356.6 million, with $40.7 million earmarked for “classroom supports,” and $4.9 million for pilot programs.

Consensus was that none of it went far enough to adequately address issues related to class size and complexity, a sticking point since the first bargaining meeting began nearly a year ago.

jackerman@postmedia.com

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