The results of the Alberta Teacher’s Association’s (ATA) strike vote are in, and it shows that the teachers are ready to walk off the job and strike if that’s what’s required.
Of the nearly 39,000 votes cast, nearly 95 per cent of them were in favour of a strike.
“Teachers have just indicated they’ve had enough,” ATA president Jason Schilling told reporters. “Every single year we have been the least funded school jurisdiction in Canada for well over a decade, and we’re seeing implications of that in our classroom right now.”
The ATA now has 120 days during which they can initiate a strike if a deal is not made with the government of Alberta. A 72-hour notice is required before teachers are authorized to walk off the job.
Schilling did not indicate when a strike may happen, saying that there will be meetings taking place within the ATA’s governing body later this week to determine the next steps.
The ATA’s main concern is growing class size and stagnant wages.
62 per cent of teachers voted against a proposed deal from a mediator which would implement a 12 per cent wage increase over four years, as well as some bonuses for teachers in remote communities, market adjustments for substitute teachers and $400 million in classroom improvements.
“I mean, nobody necessarily wants to go on strike,” said Schilling. “This is not something that we necessarily want to do. But we’ll move forward with that if we find that we’re unable to get to a negotiated settlement that meets our needs.”
