The Alberta government plans to introduce legislation on Monday to bring an end to the ongoing teachers’ strike in the province, as announced by Premier Danielle Smith on Thursday. The proposed Back to School Act, also known as Bill 2, was officially notified through an order paper on the Alberta Legislature’s website.
Premier Smith emphasized the importance of getting students back to school, expressing disappointment in the lack of progress in negotiations with the teachers’ union. The strike, involving approximately 51,000 teachers across public, separate, and francophone schools, began on October 6, leaving around 750,000 students out of classrooms for over two weeks.
Key issues in the negotiations include salaries, classroom sizes, and support for student complexities. While the government has offered a 12% wage increase over four years and the hiring of 3,000 additional teachers to address overcrowded classrooms, teachers have rejected the proposal.
Despite the start of the fall legislative session, which includes the introduction of back-to-work legislation, there is still a possibility of reaching a resolution through negotiations. Opposition leader Naheed Nenshi criticized the upcoming legislation, labeling it as an attack on teachers and public education.
Teachers and union representatives expressed concerns about the implications of the legislation, with some contemplating potential actions should the bill pass. The government aims to swiftly end the strike, urging unions to engage in further negotiations before resorting to legislative measures.
As the situation unfolds, educators continue to rally for better support for the education system, while the government prepares to expedite the legislative process to bring students back to school swiftly. Education Minister Demetrios Nicolaides hopes for a quick return to normalcy for students once the bill is passed.