News Releases
Joint statement: ATA rejects offer of enhanced mediation
Premier Danielle Smith, Minister of Finance Nate Horner, and Minister of Education Demetrios Nicolaides issued the following statement.
“Yesterday, the Provincial Bargaining and Compensation Office wrote to the Alberta Teachers’ Association (ATA) and formally requested an agreement to enter an enhanced mediation process.
“This process would have ensured that students returned to the classrooms on Monday, and that teachers returned to work.
“Negotiating would have continued with the ATA, Teachers’ Employer Bargaining Association (TEBA) and a third-party mediator to propose a recommended agreement.
“We are very disappointed that the Alberta Teachers’ Association refused this offer. Teachers and students should also be disappointed.
“PBCO made this offer to the ATA because the union has not made a reasonable offer and this strike is impacting students. Alberta’s government is trying to put kids first and bring an end to this strike.
“The offer of enhanced mediation provided a clear path to ending it.
“We want the same things as the ATA: More teachers. More pay for teachers. More educational assistants. And more classrooms.
“This strike has gone on too long and we are extremely concerned about the impact it is having on students.
“We are willing to consider further options to ensure that our next generation gets the world-class education they deserve. After about three weeks, a strike of this nature would reach the threshold of causing irreparable harm to our students’ education.
“The ATA needs to do what is right for its members, and for all Alberta students.
“If it refuses to do so, we will consider further options to bring this strike to an end.”
Statement
Amanda Chapman, Alberta’s New Democrat Shadow Minister for Education, issued the following statement in response to the UCP government’s letter to the Alberta Teachers’ Association:
“I think it’s time for the UCP to cut the crap.
“The letter that was sent to the ATA is a ridiculous proposal from the government. They’re just asking them to go back to work. They’re not at the bargaining table with them, and the letter makes it perfectly clear that the government is not interested in bargaining
in good faith.
“10,000 people protested against the Premier while she was speaking at the Chamber; that’s not a normal thing. That’s not something that happens every day.
“Two weeks ago, we had 3,000 people here in front of the McDougal Centre and there were 18,000 people in protest at the legislature. The Premier is not listening to Albertans. Parents are clearly and firmly in support of teachers.”
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Pinoy Edmonton News 