Teachers trying to reach a collective agreement before October 6 are calling out the provincial government’s complaint to the Alberta labour board as a frivolous stall tactic.

Yesterday, Alberta Teachers Association (ATA) president Jason Schilling addressed a September 15 complaint filed by the province which accused the union of making false claims to its members.

“The government is deliberately trying to sabotage the bargaining process,” Schilling said.

On Monday, Alberta Finance Minister Nate Horner said that in a document for ATA members, the union inaccurately told educators that the Teachers’ Employer Bargaining Association (TEBA) does not have the mandate to negotiate class complexity, class size, and supports for students. Horner said the government had “no choice” but to file a complaint and ask the ATA to retract their statement.

But Schilling said the ATA was simply articulating a constant stumbling block in the negotiations.

“The fact is that government negotiators have consistently stated in bargaining that they lack the mandate, the money and political authority to address both teachers’ concerns about classroom learning conditions and expectations for adequate compensation,” Schilling said.

Last week, after talks between the province and the union broke down over wages and working conditions, the ATA announced its 51,000 members would strike on October 6 if a deal could not be reached. 

“Public education is in a crisis; students are being shortchanged and teachers are being pushed to the brink,” Schilling said. “Our kids deserve better.”

The ATA is asking for higher wages to keep up with inflation, and what Schilling called “a fair deal that shows a real commitment to teachers and public education.” The ATA has received just a 5.75 percent pay increase in the last decade, and Alberta ranks last in education spending per capita, according to the Fraser Institute.

“That is a choice that’s left our schools struggling,” Schilling said.

Bob Covey // bob@thejasperlocal.com