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Teachers Inch Closer to Strike as Talks with Alberta Stall
Alberta’s teachers have voted overwhelmingly in favour of strike action on Tuesday, setting the stage for a possible walkout if contract talks with the province remain stalled. Results released this week by the Alberta Teachers’ Association (ATA) show 94.5 per cent of educators supported the strike mandate, with nearly 39,000 members casting ballots during a four-day virtual vote. The mandate gives teachers up to 120 days to take job action, meaning the first weeks of the new school year could be affected if no agreement is reached over the summer months.
Tensions have been rising since the ATA rejected a mediator’s recommendations last month, prompting the union to test member support for further action. The rejected deal included a proposed wage increase of three per cent per year, harmonized pay grids across the province, and over $400 million in classroom investments. Teachers have instead renewed calls for more robust funding, smaller class sizes, and greater support for students with complex needs.
While no strike is imminent, educators are preparing for the possibility. The ATA’s executive council is meeting this week to discuss next steps, considering the strong mandate given by members. Two bargaining sessions with the Teachers’ Employer Bargaining Association (TEBA) are set for June, with further meetings expected in August if a deal remains out of reach.
Local school boards, including Fort McMurray Catholic and Public Schools, say they will continue to keep families informed as negotiations progress. While schools prepare to close for summer, the outcome of this labour dispute may ultimately shape how and when they reopen in the fall.
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