Edmonton Public Schools teachers could hold strike vote in January
Posted December 12, 2023 4:54 pm.
Last Updated December 12, 2023 4:57 pm.
Teachers at Edmonton Public Schools could hold a strike vote next month.
The Alberta Teachers’ Association has asked the government-appointed mediator in their settlement negotiations with the school board to back out.
That means teachers, after a two-week “cooling-off period,” can hold a strike vote – possibly in early to mid-January. EPSB could also hold a lockout vote.
On Sunday, 85 per cent of teachers voted to turn down a proposed settlement.
“Low-cost options are available to resolve this dispute, but the school board is too focused on maintaining their own administrative interests,” Heather Quinn, president of Edmonton Public Teachers Local No 37, said in an ATA news release.
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At issue for the teachers, according to Quinn, are calendar development, off-schedule compensation, substitute teachers and the working conditions of online teachers.
“This latest settlement offer, just like the initial one, was unacceptable,” Quinn said. “Teachers discussed the proposal and the issues thoroughly. They feel their asks are reasonable and inexpensive, and the unwillingness of the board to consider them is a significant sign of disrespect.
“Consider online learning: given the option to improve learning and working conditions for students and teachers, the school board instead chooses to focus on their own needs.
“Teachers feel left with no other option but to seek a strike mandate.”
If a strike vote passes, teachers would have 120 days to initiate strike action.
The ATA says Edmonton Public teachers have been without a finalized collective agreement since September 2020.
