STF Says Contract Talks Once Again Hit An Impasse

It’s alive. It’s alive.

OK it’s dead.

That is the most recent round of contract negotiations between the Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation (STF) and the province.

In a press release this evening the STF said talks between itself and the provincial government were once again at an impasse.

As a result the STF has announced another round of sanctions.

A recent vote authorized the STF’s bargaining committee to use workplace sanctions if necessary to push their contract demands forward.

In the past sanctions have included teachers take one day work action (walkouts), refusal to perform noon hour supervision, arriving to work 15 minutes early to work, as well as participating in any way with extracurricular activities.

The latest vote by teachers saw them reject the Province’s offer with 55 percent of teachers opposed. The tentative deal had been recommended by the STF to its’ members.

The main issues in the contract dispute are wages and classroom size and composition.

The STF said they will give 48 hours notice before taking any sanction.

The Minister in charge has also recently said he favours binding arbitration to settle the dispute. The STF has declined the binding arbitration offer.