Canada: Teachers support Saskatchewan colleagues without contract
The Canadian Teachers’ Federation (CTF), one of Education International’s national affiliates, has urged the provincial Government of Saskatchewan and its School Boards Association to quickly return to the bargaining table with the unions 12,000 teachers who have been without a contract since 31 August, 2010.
The bargaining has been a long and arduous process, and has resulted in members of the Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation, which is affiliated to the CTF, stepping up their efforts by withdrawing their professional and voluntary services on 5 May, as part of a one-day study day and rally.
As the leader of EI’s national affiliate, the CTF President, Mary-Lou Donnelly, explained that: “Teachers are custodians of our education system. These highly qualified professionals help to open up windows of opportunities for their students and help pave the way to a prosperous future. However, valuing the work that teachers do must translate into a salary that reflects their important role. This is not the case in Saskatchewan.”
EI urges the provincial government and School Boards Association to show their commitment and support for public education by respecting the union rights of teachers to collective bargaining around issues of professional recognition and remuneration.
