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EDMONTON— The wage dispute between the Alberta government and the Alberta Teachers’ Association has reached an impasse, with no new bargaining dates scheduled and indications that back-to-work legislation could be on the horizon when the legislature resumes later this month.
Finance Minister Nate Horner accused the ATA of putting forward a proposal well beyond what the government can afford. He said the union’s latest demand is nearly $2 billion higher than the province’s existing $2.6-billion offer over a four-year term.
Horner described the union’s ask as “shooting for the moon,” adding that the government’s proposal already includes a 12 per cent wage increase and the hiring of 3,000 additional educators to help address overcrowded classrooms. He said there is “not much room left” for further concessions.
The strike, now in its seventh day, has affected roughly 740,000 students across more than 2,500 public, separate and francophone schools in Alberta.
ATA president Jason Schilling defended the union’s proposal, saying it reflects the realities teachers face in classrooms across the province. “The government wanted to know what teachers were asking for. We showed them,” Schilling said.
With the legislature scheduled to reconvene Oct. 27, Horner said the government will make restoring classes a top priority and could bring in legislation to compel teachers back to work if the strike continues. “I’m assuming we will look to get kids back in school quickly,” he said.
Education Minister Demetrios Nicolaides reiterated that the province will not exceed the $2.6-billion cap, saying the government must balance support for education with fiscal responsibility.
Observers say the window for negotiation is narrowing as the province faces pressure to end the strike and reopen classrooms, while the ATA insists any deal must include meaningful action on class sizes and working conditions.
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