Some Alberta school divisions and a labor expert predict that a bill set to be introduced on Monday to mandate teachers’ return to work will specify the timeline for resuming classes.
According to Mount Royal University’s human resources professor, Christian Cook, the back-to-work legislation, once enacted, could require teachers to be back in schools within 24 to 48 hours, rendering any strike action unlawful.
The Alberta government has announced that Finance Minister Nate Horner plans to present the Back to School Act on Monday to resolve the lockout of 51,000 public, Catholic, and francophone teachers who initiated a strike on October 6.
Although the province’s four largest school divisions are uncertain about the resumption date, they are advising families not to send their children to school on Monday until the legislature has deliberated and passed the order.
Edmonton Catholic Schools anticipates that the legislation will stipulate the teachers’ return-to-work schedule, as mentioned by spokesperson Christine Meadows.
As of Friday, the government house leader’s office did not provide details on the timing of the bill’s tabling on Monday or when the legislative debate will commence.
The order paper outlines five motions that, if approved, would expedite the bill’s progression through multiple stages of debate within a day.
Despite the opposition from the NDP, the United Conservative Party government holds the majority vote to pass the legislation swiftly, potentially by Monday or Tuesday.
Furthermore, the employers could impose fines or penalties on any teachers or their association failing to comply with the law once it takes effect, as highlighted by Cook.
The impending back-to-work legislation aims to end the lockout initiated by employers on October 9. Jason Schilling, the president of the Alberta Teachers’ Association (ATA), emphasized during a recent press conference that such legislation would not only halt job actions but also prevent teachers from working under certain rules.
Schilling stressed that the legislation does not address the underlying issues that triggered the strike, including demands for fair pay considering inflation, improved working and learning conditions, and adequate support for students with complex needs.
The ATA is advocating for a legal mechanism to ensure sufficient staffing levels to cater to the escalating student enrollment, proposing student-teacher ratios phased in over four years, with a focus on students with higher needs.
Premier Danielle Smith has suggested hiring more educational assistants as a solution to address classroom complexities, dismissing the ATA’s demands as inflexible.
While critics condemn the government’s plan to enforce back-to-work legislation, asserting it infringes on workers’ collective bargaining rights, Cook mentioned that teachers would still be required to report to work if the law faces legal challenges.
The public sector labor unions are closely monitoring the situation, with concerns raised about potential impacts on bargaining rights and democratic principles.
In preparation for schools’ reopening, Edmonton and Calgary school boards have affirmed readiness to welcome students back once teachers resume work, although details on compensating for lost instructional time remain pending.
Schilling mentioned discussions within some school divisions about teachers returning initially without students to organize logistics, ensuring all staff members are ready for the transition.
Parents are expressing mixed feelings about the impending resumption of classes, with concerns about unaddressed issues such as overcrowded classrooms and teacher workload. Some are apprehensive that the same challenges will persist upon teachers’ return.
Calgary parent Ahmed Jedda highlighted the strain on the education system, expressing discontent with the current state of affairs in Alberta’s schools.