The Saskatchewan Teacher’s Federation has reached an impasse during negotiations for the two issues most important to teachers in the province.

The Saskatchewan Teachers Federation’s biggest issues are those concerning class size and composition, and salary. The Teachers’ Bargaining Committee has requested that the Educational Relations Board establish a Conciliation Board to provide assistance in reaching a provincial collective bargaining agreement.

Patrick Maze, the President of the Saskatchewan Teachers Federation said in a recent news release:

“Teachers have told us addressing the significant and complex challenges in classrooms is as important as salary. Not only is the recent class size and composition committee announced by the Minister a deliberate attempt to undermine the collective bargaining process, the committee as proposed falls short in terms of structure, authority and accountability.”

The Federation recently proposed a salary increase of two per cent in the first year, followed by an increase of three per cent in the second and third years. As a counter, the Government-Trustee Bargaining Committee proposed a salary increase of zero per cent in year 1, with a two per cent increase to follow in years two and three.

The GTBC has also requested a one year contribution holiday from their commitment to fund the teacher health plan. They have suggested this premium holiday, equivalent to approximately $20M, could be reallocated to enhance the overall value of the contract.

The Federation Maintains that the issues of support for classrooms must be addressed through collective bargaining, as it is the only way to ensure public accountability.