In a significant development in the ongoing dispute between the Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation (STF) and the Government-Trustee Bargaining Committee (GTBC), STF President Samantha Becotte announced the end of all work action sanctions, effective yesterday at 11:59 p.m. The announcement comes as talks between the STF and GTBC are set to resume next week.
Becotte addressed the media from Treaty 6 territory, acknowledging the challenges faced by students and teachers in the pre-K to 12 public education system. She expressed gratitude towards the Minister of Education for his commitment to improving classroom conditions through a multi-year funding agreement and accountability framework.
“I appreciate the discussion around the memorandum of understanding and accountability framework between the STF and the Ministry of Education,” said Becotte. “We have made sufficient progress on the language within the collective agreement, and I’m pleased to announce that we will be returning to the bargaining table next week.”
The STF had been advocating for increased funding to address class size and classroom complexity. Although Education Minister Jeremy Cockrill stated that these issues would not be included in the contract, he emphasized the importance of giving teachers a voice in how funding is allocated locally.
“We have talked about the memorandum of understanding and the multi-year funding agreement,” said Becotte. “We want to ensure that these commitments are honored, and I believe we are on the right path.”
The recent work-to-rule action by teachers had led to disruptions in instructional time and voluntary activities, affecting students’ learning experiences. However, Becotte expressed optimism about the renewed discussions and the possibility of reaching a resolution.
“I’m hopeful that this is a step towards rebuilding relationships within the education sector,” said Becotte. “Our goal is to collaborate with all education sector partners to improve the experiences of our students and deliver the high-quality education they deserve.”
Cockrill also shared his optimism about the renewed negotiations, emphasizing the government’s commitment to ensuring quality education for all students.
“We recognize the importance of collaboration and working together to find solutions for everyone,” said Cockrill. “We are committed to rebuilding relationships and focusing on what matters most – our students.”