The Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation (STF) and the province have signed a new collective agreement – officially ending a saga that saw bitter negotiations, job action and binding arbitration over the course of almost two years.
The province confirmed the announcement late Thursday afternoon.
“We appreciate the work and collaboration of the bargaining committees to achieve this result and are pleased to have a new agreement that provides certainty for teachers, students and their families,” Education Minister Everett Hindley said in a news release.
“Our government recognizes the important role of teachers and we look forward to working on common goals in support of Saskatchewan’s education system.”
The agreement will be in effect retroactively from Sept. 1, 2023 to Aug. 31, 2026.
STF President Samantha Becotte says the agreement marks a “historic gain” for educators in the province.
“While it won’t solve all the issues related to class complexity, we believe this agreement is a positive first step toward ensuring students and teachers have the support they need,” she said Thursday.
The agreement includes a class complexity fund of $20 million annually and provisions to hire additional staff to assist in class complexity issues.
The federation estimates that over 500 new positions will be created as a result of the new article.
In late March, the arbitration board ruled that class complexity had to be included as an article in the new collective agreement.
The two parties then returned to the bargaining table to agree on language for the provisions.
The Saskatchewan School Boards Association (SSBA) also commented on the announcement – with President Shawn Davidson saying:
“We know there is work ahead for boards related to this agreement. We are committed to this work and focusing our collective efforts towards every student having the resources they need to thrive.”
The SSBA represents the province’s 27 school boards.
Negotiations for a new agreement began in May of 2023.
The STF has yet to comment.
-More details to come.
-With files from Rory MacLean.
