STF says sanctions ‘virtually inevitable’ after conciliation stalls

The Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation says five days of conciliation hearings in Regina ended in an impasse.

The union said sanctions are now more likely due to the Government-Trustee Bargaining Committee’s unwillingness to negotiate on class sizes and student supports, which the union said are priorities for Saskatchewan’s teachers.

“This means government has squandered what is one of their last available opportunities to bargain seriously on the issues at hand and ensure that there are no labour disruptions in the sector,” the federation wrote in a message to its members, which was shared with 650 CKOM.

“To be frank, the government’s unwillingness and inflexibility at this stage significantly increases the likelihood of sanctions.”

In late October, federation members voted overwhelmingly in favour of sanctions after bargaining stalled, but none have so far been announced.

The union said the Conciliation Board will prepare a final report by Jan. 15.

While the union said its objective is still to reach a new agreement through bargaining, a statement directed to students and parents on Wednesday morning said job action is looming.

“The Government of Saskatchewan has now set a course that makes job action by teachers – and the disruption that comes with it – virtually inevitable,” the federation said.

“As we await the Conciliation Board’s report, the Federation will be finalizing the strategy for implementing sanctions.”

Premier Scott Moe, speaking on The Evan Bray Show on Wednesday, called on the union to return to negotiations.

“Come back to the bargaining table,” Moe said. “The bargaining table is where the best agreements come to fruition, not the picket lines.”

Moe said the province is committed to taking care of teachers.

“The government wants to find a place for the teachers’ contract so that our educators don’t have to worry over the next number of years,” Moe said.

But while Moe called on the union to resume bargaining, the federation said the opposite is true.

“You are likely to continue hearing spin from government that teachers left the bargaining table,” the union’s message read. “Nothing could be further from the truth. Government failed to show up and engage with teachers’ concerns.”