‘A travesty’: Alberta Teachers’ Association, labour groups tear into back to work legislation

Anger from teachers was known inside the legislature as soon as Bill 2, the back-to-work orders from the government, was introduced.

“Shame, Ignorance, Tomfoolery, October 2027 can’t come soon enough,” were yelled inside the Legislature Chamber from the visitors gallery as the bill was introduced.

The man yelling at the government and then was thrown out of the Legislature was a Bernie Dowhan, a Grade 9 teacher from Calgary. He was not surprised the notwithstanding clause is being used.

“I’m very frustrated with what is happening. What is happening in the classroom can not continue anymore. Doing things the proper way don’t seem to be resonating with Premier Smith,” said Dowhan.

Premier Danielle Smith was not in the chamber when the bill was introduced and voted on during the first reading. It was announced that she’s on her way to Saudi Arabia for an energy conference.

“She buggered off to the middle east, didn’t even stick around for the votes, will not take responsibility for being the first Premier [in Alberta’s history] to violate the Charter of Rights, she couldn’t delay her middle east vacation by one day to at least show up in front of Albertans and take responsibility for this disgusting piece of legislation,” said Naheed Nenshi, Official Opposition Leader.

Back-to-work legislation with the notwithstanding clause is being decried by the Alberta Teachers Association president, Jason Schilling who calls it bullying and not a path to a settlement.

“What you saw in there was a travesty of our legislature. It’s a travesty to our democracy. They’re ramming through this bill in one evening so that they can put forward what they want to see,” said Schilling.

The use of the notwithstanding clause has also caught the attention of other Alberta unions and labour groups.

Alberta Federation of Labour president Gil McGowan says the notwithstanding clause is the “nuclear option”, adding his “Common Front Coalition” of other unions met last week. This includes public and private sector unions, including Health Sciences Association of Alberta, United Nurses of Alberta, and the Canadian Union of Public Employees.

They will be meeting on Tuesday about a “tentative plan” and make an announcement on Wednesday. McGowan did not rule out a general strike.

“This has become a full-frontal assault on worker rights in this country, and an assault on our democracy,” said McGowan. “Our response will be unprecedented.”

Labour Relations Professor at Athabasca University Jason Foster called Bill 2 a “gigantic middle finger to Alberta teachers” as it includes the same deal that ATA members overwhelmingly rejected.

Foster expects a “tumultuous few days” within the labour movement due to the Notwithstanding Clause being used, and some unions could be ready to strike soon.

“LPNs are in a strike position in a couple of weeks. HSAA is going into mediation next month. Why would Alberta Health Services have any interest in our motivation to bargain seriously when they know, if they get into trouble, the government will just pass a piece of legislation like this that just brings a sledgehammer to the whole process,” said Foster.

Even though teachers are expected back to work by Wednesday, the ATA is reviewing the bill with lawyers and discussing any next steps. But for teachers, one thing remains on their wishlist.

“We want respect. Respect from the government,” said Dowhan.