Deal between Alberta teachers, province not necessarily imminent despite meeting for 1st time since strike began: expert

A week and a day after walking off the job, the Alberta Teachers’ Association returned to the bargaining table Tuesday.

But that doesn’t necessarily mean a deal with the province is imminent, according to an Alberta labour relations professor.

“I feel in many ways the parties haven’t even agreed on what the problem is, let alone what the solution to that problem is,” said Jason Foster from Athabasca University.

Last week, Premier Danielle Smith said an offer of 12 per cent more over four years and 4,500 new educators was fair, and both sides were close.

But the union is calling for a major boost to the education budget, amounting to generational change.

If that gap is not bridged this week, Foster believes the province is likely to consider back-to-work legislation.

“They’ll be going back to work more angry than ever, which isn’t a good thing,” he said. “We know from the research in labour relations that if you resort to back-to-work orders, all you’re really doing is kicking the problem down the road and the problem gets bigger.”

Most Albertans side with teachers: poll

Meanwhile a new poll from Angus Reid suggests a majority of Albertans are siding with teachers.

Fifty-eight per cent said they support the striking educators, while 21 per cent sided with the government. The rest were unsure.

The survey also shows a clear ideological divide, with 89 per cent of NDP voters backing teachers compared to just 28 per cent among UCP voters.

Edmonton teacher Eliane Pelletier believes public support will help fuel a victory for the ARA.

“If we can all stand together against this government and really put pressure on them, absolutely, this will be over before they know it,” Pelletier said.

Strike support

Also on Tuesday, the provincial government opened a new portal for strike support.

Parents of kids under 12 can now apply for $30-a-day subsidies.

Calgary father Jun Homigop, who has two jobs, says he could use the cash for childcare.

“Which for me, is kind of relief as well,” he said. “It’s a big help for me as a father of two.

In a statement from the finance minister’s office, the government says a deal will only be reached when the ATA presents something that is “reasonable.”

–With files from Sean Amato in Edmonton