Here's a complete timeline of the Saskatchewan teachers labour dispute

The dispute between Saskatchewan educators and the province has surpassed one year in length. It's a fight that's seen a war of words waged over social media, teachers battling extreme cold on the picket line and massive disruptions for students across Saskatchewan.

Here’s a comprehensive timeline laying out the events so far.

May 2023

Negotiations begin between the Saskatchewan Teachers Federation (STF) and the Government-Trustee Bargaining Committee (GTBC) following months of educators highlighting capacity concerns in schools. Regina’s Harbour Landing School acts as an example of similar issues across Saskatchewan.

The process begins with the STF presenting proposals that are created based off of member inputs from across the province.

Main concerns for teachers include burnout, understaffing and a rise in students requiring intensive supports.

• 'Our students deserve better': Teachers converge on Sask. legislature in rally for public education

June - July, 2023

As talks carry on through the summer months, the province unveils an advertising campaign in support of its offer to teachers.

The digital ads and billboards showcasing a “fair deal for teachers” make claims, such as the average Saskatchewan teacher salary being $92,000. The STF accuses the province of “cherry picking” data and misleading the public with the campaign.

• Breaking down what the average teacher in Sask. gets paid and what they're asking for

Documents acquired by the STF in February of 2024 show that planning for the campaign began in late June. Following the discovery, the STF slams the government for attempting to “undermine good-faith bargaining from the very beginning.”

• Sask. teachers say ministry emails show concerted effort to undermine early bargaining efforts

Aug. 31, 2023

Saskatchewan teacher’s collective agreement officially expires. The agreement was subject to rocky negotiations in 2020 before the COVID-19 pandemic necessitated an early end to talks.

Sept. 5, 2023

As Saskatchewan’s approximately 190,000 students return to the classroom – both the STF and the province launch ad campaigns solidifying their positions ahead of a return to bargaining scheduled for mid-September.

• Sask. teachers, province digging in during negotiations as school begins not a good sign, expert says

The STF’s ad campaign highlights “obstacles” for both students and educators including crowded classrooms, understaffing, and uncertainty around sustainable funding.

Oct. 14 to Nov. 4, 2023

The STF holds rallies outside the offices of high profile Sask. Party MLAs including Donna Harpauer, Paul Merriman, and Jeremy Cockrill.

Oct. 16, 2023

An impasse is declared by the STF due to the government’s refusal to negotiate on the issues of class size and complexity.

The formal declaration of an impasse legally clears the way for a conciliator to guide the bargaining process.

The Government of Saskatchewan claims to remain at the table and expresses disappointment with the federation’s decision.

Both sides take to social media to express their views and assign blame for the state of talks.

Oct. 27, 2023

Saskatchewan teachers vote 95 per cent in favour of potential job action. The authorization remains in place until June 2024.

The STF states that the government refused to bargain on nine out of 10 of its proposals since May.

"They refuse to engage. They refused to compromise. They refused to listen, preferring instead to read from lengthy prepared statements,” STF President Samantha Becotte says following the vote. “This is not negotiation."

Nov. 9, 2023

With the conciliation process underway, Becotte says she hopes the use of professional facilitators will bring the two sides closer together.

Education Minister Jeremy Cockrill reiterates the view of government that classroom size and complexity measures do not belong in a provincial bargaining agreement with teachers – but with the school divisions.

Dec. 13, 2023

The STF says labour disruption is “virtually inevitable” following a lack of progress – despite the two sides meeting for five days with a labour ministry conciliation board.

The federation reveals it is finalizing strategy for implementing sanctions following the release of the conciliation board’s report in early January.

Jan. 8

The conciliation report determines Sask. teachers have a right to negotiate on their working conditions.

The GTBC doubles down, saying it is only willing to discuss matters of compensation with the federation and disputes the STF’s interpretation of the report.

"The GTBC also notes that the conciliation board did not recommend class size and composition be included as a part of the bargaining discussions," a GTBC statement read.

Additionally, the government announces the first of several pilot projects. An investment of $3.6 million is allocated to eight “specialized support classrooms” in urban elementary schools.

Jan. 16

Saskatchewan teachers hit the picket line for the first time in an attempt to force the province to expand contract talks to include class size and complexity measures.

Demonstrations are held in 40 sites across Saskatchewan – including the Saskatchewan Legislative Building.

Becotte and Canadian Teachers’ Federation President Heidi Yetman deliver letters to the legislature addressed to Premier Moe and Minister Cockrill.

The government labels the inclusion of size and complexity measures into bargaining a “line in the sand” that it’s unwilling to cross.

Minister Cockrill refers to the now several announced pilot projects as proof of the government’s action on the issue.

Jan. 29

Following a pair of one day strikes which sees 13,000 teachers walk off the job – the STF announces a series of rotating one-day strikes across the province.

Feb. 5

The STF gives notice of a province-wide withdrawal of noon hour supervision for Feb. 8.

Feb. 7

The STF suspends all job action following a new offer from the province which would see teachers receive the same annual salary adjustments under the same salary formula MLAs receive.

Feb. 13

Negotiations break down between the province and teachers. Both sides accuse each other of walking away from the table – with the news announced through dueling video updates over social media from both sides.

• Students stage walkout in support of Sask. teachers amid stalled contract talks

A second impasse is declared. Job action is reinstated, beginning Feb 16.

Over the next several weeks, the STF gradually ramps up its efforts, moving from one day rotating strikes to the withdrawal of noon hour supervision and extracurricular activities.

Feb. 21

The STF receives public support from teacher organizations in Ontario, B.C. and New Brunswick. The STF calls on the government to take a note from other jurisdictions and allow classroom size and complexity issues into the bargaining process.

March 6-7

In a surprise pre-budget announcement, Premier Moe reveals the government will provide $180 million in additional funding – enlarging the province’s education operating budget to a total of $2.2 billion.

Moe touts the announcement as the “largest increase in school operating funding in Saskatchewan history.”

Within the budget, the province says $356.6 million would be specifically allocated to classroom supports on an annual basis.

The following day, the STF refuses to return to the bargaining table until the increases are included in a new collective agreement.

Becotte also notes that the premier’s “record investment” contains previously announced funding.

March 8

The Saskatchewan School Board Association (SBBA) signs a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for a multi-year funding agreement with the province.

The STF criticizes the government for leaving teachers out of the discussion.

• 'We're not surprised': STF disappointed with funding deal between Sask. school boards and province

Becotte says the federation would return to the bargaining table if the $356.6 million earmarked for classroom supports could only be used for that specific issue – rather than leaving it up to the discretion of school boards.

The federation also calls for a reporting mechanism, funding increases tied to enrollment and inflation, as well as the assurance that money can't be clawed back in future years.

March 20

The province unveils a $3.3 billion budget for the Ministry of Education while over 6,000 teachers rally outside the provincial legislature.

As a result of the job action, Saskatchewan’s high school basketball championships known as Hoopla, in addition to the Optimist Band Festival in Regina, are cancelled.

March 28

Minister Cockrill announces Grade 12 graduation events will go ahead regardless of any job action by teachers.

The STF displays confidence that the two sides will get back to the bargaining table soon – committing to a return in early April.

However, Becotte points to the long history of “hollow” promises made by the SSBA around solving classroom issues.

“These policies that are made by school divisions are aspirational documents, something we hope to achieve. They’re not binding documents,” Becotte said at the time. “There is nothing in there that ensures that those are the conditions that we have in schools.”

April 8

Saskatchewan teachers begin “work to rule,” withdrawing from all voluntary services and requiring teaching staff to begin and end their work days 15 minutes before and after school.

The move causes significant disruption for students and parents as school divisions differ on how best to handle the now non-existent lunch time supervision and lack of extracurricular activities.

April 9

Minister Cockrill offers to include accountability framework for education funding into legislation. The offer would see the accountability framework from the previously mentioned MOU be written into Saskatchewan’s Education Act for the duration of the next teacher contract.

Cockrill claims the move demonstrates how serious the province is taking the issue of classroom complexity. Speaking to reporters, he claims the offer was declined by the STF.

April 12

The STF and the province agree to resume contract negotiations. All job action is put on hold. The return to the bargaining table marks the first time the two sides have met since February.

https://regina.ctvnews.ca/sask-teachers-province-to-resume-contract-negotiations-job-action-to-end-1.6844554

• Sask. students say pressure is still on ahead of renewed talks between teachers, province

The STF says the decision to return comes after the GTBC was given a new mandate to bargain with the assurance that all issues concerning teachers would be properly addressed.

April 18

After two days of “difficult” negotiations – both sides reach a proposed deal.

While the province claims it is a “tentative agreement” – the STF says the proposal was advertised as the province’s “final offer.”

The three year agreement would see a salary increase of three per cent in year one, three per cent in year two, and two per cent in year three – with retroactive pay to September 2023.

Also included is a singular line referring to the accountability framework – promising it will be honoured and followed.

• Here's how the tentative deal for Saskatchewan teachers compares to previous offers

May 8-9

Members of the STF vote on the proposed agreement – leading to an impressive turnout and resounding “no” vote.

A total of 92.2 per cent of members take part – with 90 per cent of those voting no.

Within two hours of polls opening on May 8, more than 45 per cent of the STF membership cast their ballots.

Becotte describes the deal as a “disservice to students” while the government expresses disappointment in the face of the vote result.

Both sides illustrate a need to return to bargaining as soon as possible – with a tentative date set for May 13-14.

In an update on May 10, teachers agree to vote on giving the STF's Executive Bargaining Committee the mandate to extend job sanctions past June 30. The vote is slated to run from May 15-16.

May 16

Sask. teachers vote in favour of renewing the Saskatchewan Teachers Federation mandate for sanctions. The vote allows the STF to reinstitute job action until a deal is reached.

A total of 83 per cent of teachers take part in the vote, with 95 per cent of those voting in favour.

May 17

The province announces a tentative agreement has been reached. In its announcement, the province says the deal encompasses several key matters discussed during the recent negotiating efforts. The STF encourages membership to vote yes on the deal, with members set to vote from May 29-30.

May 23

The STF releases the details of the tentative agreement. The deal includes an accountability framework attached to the agreement as a MOU, an additional $18 million annually to tackle classroom complexity, and the creation of a minister’s task force on classroom complexity consisting of teachers, students and parents.

Additionally, a policy table on violence free classrooms chaired by the Education Minister with representatives from the STF and SSBA would be created.

Lastly, salary increases would total eight per cent – three per cent for 2023 and 2024 and two per cent in 2025.

May 29-30

In a narrow vote, STF membership rejects the tentative agreement – with 55 per cent of teachers voting “no.”

Following the vote, both sides restate their commitment to finding a path forward.

The government seeks to immediately move to binding arbitration while the STF maintains that there must be more items included in a new offer.

June 5

Both sides meet for the first time since the previous tentative agreement’s rejection.

The province announces via news release that the STF rejected a joint proposal to go to binding arbitration.

The STF declares an impasse in-turn and announces "work to rule" will begin on Monday, June 10.

Speaking the day after the anouncement, both Cockrill and Becotte maintain that the two sides are close to an agreement, and reiterate the need for a return to bargaining.

June 10 - 12

Teachers across Saskatchewan begin a renewed effort of "work to rule" job action.

The action bars educators from taking part in any supervision or extracurricular activities and requires teachers arrive at school 15 minutes before classes and leave 15 minutes after.

After several days of strike action, the STF reveals it is consulting with members about the use and purpose of binding arbitration.

June 14

The STF and province formerly announce that the two sides will go ahead with binding arbitration. All strike action ends.

Binding arbitration includes a neutral third party joining negotiations and listening to proposals from both sides before making a decision on the best path forward to end the contract stalemate.

Aug. 8

Dates are set for binding arbitration. The hearings are set to take place from Dec. 16 to Dec. 20 in Saskatoon. Former University of Saskatchewan law professor Daniel Ish will serve as arbitrator.

Retired Saskatoon Public Schools teacher and principal Dawn Harkness will represent teachers in the hearings, while former Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools director Greg Chatlain will represent the government and trustees.

--More to come….