Teachers picketed last month, seeking a new contract. (Cam Lee/northeastNOW)

By Cam Lee

NETA president discusses offer

Concerns from North East Teachers Association as teachers set to vote on offer

Apr 18, 2024 | 5:00 PM

Is there a deal to be made, or will there be a return to square one?

Teachers across the province will determine the next step, as they vote next month on the provincial government’s latest contract offer.

The deal calls for an eight per cent wage increase over three years, and Education Minister Jeremy Cockrill has called last night’s development a ‘tentative agreement’.

However, the Saskatchewan Teachers Federation (STF) is pumping the brakes on talk of an agreement. President Samantha Becotte said in a news conference Thursday morning that isn’t the case.

“A tentative agreement would imply that there were good faith negotiations that happened, that there was a back and forth and both sides agree,” said Becotte. “This was very clear from the (committee) that this is their final offer. There was no willingness to find further solutions within the bargaining process.”

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Becotte explained the Government Trustee Bargaining Committee (GTBC) said their offer was a ‘final offer’ multiple times during their bargaining session.

The president of the North East Teachers Association (NETA) Dave Rogers said the offer is deemed a last offer, essentially using the Saskatchewan Employers Act to create a vote.

“If it’s defeated by the membership, then we’re going to be back at bargaining,” said Rogers.

He said the legislation states the Last Offer Vote can only be used once per agreement. The agreement would be finalized if teachers vote 50 per cent plus one vote in favour. Rogers said in his opinion, the GTBC are “fishing for an agreement” in hopes there are enough teacher votes in favour of the deal.

Rogers said the STF will host a series of town halls in the coming weeks to educate members about the agreement.

“I want people to understand that for the teachers of Saskatchewan, classroom support and complexity are key driving factors for us. The kids and teachers need the support so that we can provide the best educational opportunities possible for our youth and our children, because they are our future in the end.”

Teachers will vote on the offer on May 8 and 9.

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Cam.lee@pattisonmedia.com

On X: @northeastNOW_SK