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Alberta teachers to vote on proposed collective agreement in May
Alberta teachers will vote early next month on a proposed mediated settlement that could shape their next collective agreement.
The Alberta Teachers’ Association (ATA) says members will cast their ballots between May 2 and 5 on a central table proposal outlined in a mediator’s report released earlier this spring. Results will be announced on May 6.
The current contract expired on August 31, 2024, and bargaining for a new agreement has been underway since early last year. With negotiations at an impasse, both the ATA and the Teachers’ Employer Bargaining Association (TEBA) turned to a mediator, whose recommendations now form the basis of the proposed settlement.
“This is an important decision that will impact every teacher in the province,” said Sean Brown, chief negotiator for the ATA’s Central Table Bargaining Committee. “We’ve developed materials to help members fully understand the implications of the mediator’s report.”
The union has launched a suite of resources to help teachers make informed decisions, including a personalized salary calculator, FAQs, and a schedule of information meetings across Alberta. A telephone town hall was held on April 3, and in-person member information meetings have been ongoing since April 7.
ATA president Jason Schilling is urging members to stay informed and engaged.
“This is your collective agreement. It affects your salary, benefits and working conditions,” said Schilling. “Teachers need to be fully engaged in this process. That means talking with your colleagues, dispelling any misinformation that you see, reading through the available materials and making an informed decision when it’s time to vote.”
The mediator’s report incorporates all previously agreed-upon items and outlines what is described as the most realistic path to a settlement. The proposed agreement includes more than just salary improvements, it also features $405 million in funding to help address class sizes and the increasing complexity of classrooms.
Voting will take place using a new push system that delivers ballots directly to members’ email addresses. If ratified, the proposed settlement will form the basis of a new collective agreement. If rejected, the ATA says negotiations could resume, or job action may be considered.
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