Saskatchewan teachers agree to binding arbitration, no more job sanctions

The Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation has agreed to binding arbitration for a new collective agreement with the government. The contract is ready to go, except for the issues of wages and the class complexity-accountability framework. That’s what the arbitration will deal with. When the government said it would agree to arbitration on class complexity, there was engagement with teachers and STF President Samantha Becotte says from that, the decision was made to move forward with arbitration.

That means no more job action, so it’s back to a regular class schedule from now on, in this term and moving forward, because once an arbitrator is brought in, the arbitrator’s decisions are final.

Becotte says it’s unfortunate they were unable to reach an agreement through bargaining, “However, the joint submission with the Government-Trustee Bargaining Committee for binding arbitration provides an opportunity for progress on the issue of classroom complexity in order to address the needs of Saskatchewan students.” She notes that it has been a challenging school year, but teachers have always put the needs of all of their current students and future students first. The work-to-rule job action ended at 4 Friday afternoon. The next step in the process is the appointment of a mutually agreed arbitrator.

Becotte estimates it could be another six to eight months before an arbitrator has come to a decision, but there will be no more job action from teachers. Education Minister Jeremy Cockrill says in an email statement, “Binding arbitration will provide predictability in the lives of students, families and teachers as the school year comes to an end, all while allowing for a path to the finalization of a new provincial collective agreement.”

Friday’s decision by the STF comes after extensive consultation with members this week with about three-quarters believing that binding arbitration is the best path forward. Saskatchewan teachers have been without a contract since August 31 of last year with negotiations in an on-and-off cycle since May of last year.