Breaking down what the average teacher in Sask. gets paid and what they are asking for
The Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation (STF) and government remain at odds about what is of highest importance at the bargaining table as teachers announced a second day of strike action.
The STF believes learning needs, behavioural supports, split grades, and English as a second language are all factors complicating classrooms for educators and need to be addressed in the new contract.
“If we cannot adequately support students now, when [is the government] going to make it a priority,” President Samantha Becotte said during a press conference Thursday. “We need to ensure we are standing up for our kids.”
As teachers said they will head to the picket lines again Monday, the province maintained those complexities are for school boards to deal with.
Minister of Education Jeremy Cockrill was not made available to respond to the STF’s action Thursday.
Earlier this week, he said bargaining should instead be focused on salary disputes.
“The unions’ ask around classroom complexity is not something we’re going to move on,” the minister said Tuesday. “The salary ask is also unreasonable and unfair to Saskatchewan taxpayers.”
According to the province, a majority of teachers make $92,000 year.
Numbers supplied by the STF show as of Jan. 1 of last year, 7,800 of Saskatchewan's 12,000 teachers earned that much, or more — which works out to 65 per cent.
To reach that level, they need at least eight years of experience, and in some cases, a masters degree.
Based on all teachers’ earnings, the mean annual salary is $88,619.70.
Becotte said retention of teachers is also down and keeping educators around long enough for them to earn the maximum is hard.
“A lack of teachers, and a teacher shortage, plays into class complexity,” she said.
In an emailed statement to media, the government said, “The Government Trustee Bargaining Committee (GTBC) has put forward a fair deal for teachers with a 7 per cent raise over three years.”
“The GTBC remains at the table, ready to discuss competitive salary and benefits but cannot negotiate without the STF at the table as well.”
The STF has begun its bargaining position at a 2 per cent increase for the next four years plus additional cost of living projections.
Projections by the government show those increases would amount to 23.5 per cent.
“This is not about salary,” Becotte reiterated. “The big issue teachers are bringing forward is around class complexity.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Jagmeet Singh pulls NDP out of deal with Trudeau Liberals, takes aim at Poilievre Conservatives
NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh has pulled his party out of the supply-and-confidence agreement that had been helping keep Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's minority Liberals in power.
'Unprovoked' attacks in Vancouver leave man dead, another with severed hand
A pair of stranger attacks in downtown Vancouver left one man dead and another with a severed hand on Wednesday morning.
Former public servant pleads guilty to breach of trust after directing contracts to own company
The RCMP says a former federal public servant has pleaded guilty to a breach of trust charge connected with financial activities while he worked for Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED).
Officials identify 14-year-old student as suspect in Georgia school shooting that left 4 dead
The 14-year-old suspect in the fatal mass shooting at a Winder, Ga., high school has been identified as Colt Gray, Georgia Bureau of Investigation Director Chris Hosey said at an afternoon news conference.
'Terrifying': Suspect tries to drive over cruiser to escape after police surround stolen Bronco at Mississauga drive-thru
A call about a suspicious vehicle ended with a Ford Bronco sitting atop a Peel police cruiser at a Tim Hortons drive-thru in Mississauga Tuesday.
The Liberal-NDP deal is dead. What did it accomplish?
NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh revealed Wednesday that he's 'ripped up' the supply and confidence agreement with the Liberals. Here's a look at everything the deal accomplished — and what's been left unfinished.
Liberal House Leader 'quite surprised' by NDP pulling out of two-party deal
Government House Leader Karina Gould says she was 'quite surprised' when she found out “at the same time as other Canadians today” that NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh was pulling out of the supply-and-confidence deal with the Liberal government.
Ontario man told his EV needs $33K battery. Software update fixes the problem
An Ontario man said he couldn't believe an electric car he bought three years ago for $20,000 would need a new battery at a cost of more than $33,000.
Bank of Canada cuts key interest rate for third consecutive time
The Bank of Canada has cut its policy interest rate for a third consecutive time. Governor Tiff Macklem says if the economy continues to improve, Canadians can expect more rate cuts later this year.