Alberta teachers issue strike notice as families face tough choices

ATA President Jason Schilling, ATA News Conference

Alberta teachers issue strike deadline as bargaining resumes

EDMONTON — It is a good news, bad news scenario for Alberta families. Teachers and the province are back at the bargaining table, but the Alberta Teachers’ Association has set Oct. 6 as the date they will strike if no deal is reached.

ATA president Jason Schilling said Wednesday that more than 51,000 teachers are prepared to walk off the job after months of stalled talks. “Students are being shortchanged and our teachers are being pushed to the brink,” Schilling said. “Without bold, immediate and sustained intervention from the government, the situation will deteriorate further.”

The strike notice expires Oct. 7, the last day of the 120-day validity period following a strike vote. The last provincewide teachers’ strike was in 2002.

Finance Minister Nate Horner said he welcomes the union’s return to the table but called the strike threat unnecessary. “Announcing a strike commencing Oct. 6 before the parties have resumed negotiations only serves to increase stress among Alberta’s students and families,” he said. Premier Danielle Smith said the government has offered a 12 per cent wage increase over four years and agreed to hire 1,000 new teachers annually, but added that “something’s got to give here” when it comes to more demands.

What this means for families

If no agreement is reached, schools across Alberta would close to students beginning Oct. 6. For many households that rely on both parents working full time, the strike could mean sudden and costly choices about child care. Some parents say they have little flexibility with employers, and others worry about losing income if they are forced to stay home. Families without grandparents or relatives nearby to step in face the greatest uncertainty, with after-school programs and daycares already stretched to capacity.

Local divisions prepare

School boards are beginning to warn parents of what could come next.

The Fort McMurray Public School Division told families it is committed to providing clear updates but admitted it has little more information than the public. “We remain hopeful that negotiations will continue. We understand the uncertainty this may cause and are committed to providing clear and consistent updates as soon as new information becomes available,” the division wrote.

The Fort McMurray Catholic School Division said schools remain open for now but will close to students if a strike begins Oct. 6. Out-of-school care programs will stay open, with expanded hours under consideration. “We understand that labour uncertainty can be unsettling,” the division said in a letter to parents.

Unless a deal is reached, students, parents and teachers across Alberta face the prospect of a provincewide disruption not seen in more than 20 years.