Sask. teachers to hold online meetings prior to deal vote
The Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation said its members are ‘strongly encouraged’ to attend one of two online town hall meetings scheduled to happen prior to a membership vote on a possible deal.
In an online update, the STF said the virtual meetings, scheduled for May 2 at 7:30 p.m. and May 6 at 7 p.m., will give members the chance to “learn more about the GTBC final offer” and hear directly from the [Teachers Bargaining Committee].”
Similar meetings have been held throughout the contract dispute with the province, the last one being held in early April shortly before an announcement that negotiations were set to resume.
The offer on the table is a three-year agreement with an eight per cent salary increase, structured with three per cent raises in years one and two followed by a two per cent raise in year three, expiring in 2025 with retroactive pay to September 2023. It is missing significant movement on class size and complexity, a key issue in the long-running dispute, but does include a line about a Memorandum of Understanding intended to better direct education funding and give teachers more say.
It's the end result of two days of negotiations between teachers and the government committee.
Teachers will vote on the deal May 8 and 9. The STF did agree to put the deal to a vote, but has not pointed its members on how to vote.
STF President Samantha Becotte said Thursday the federation was focused on presenting the facts to members, “allowing them the opportunity to weigh the benefits and consequences or potential risks of voting in favour or voting against and come to an informed decision on their own.”
Pre-registration for the town hall is required through the STF’s internal member website. Teachers can also check their email for a meeting link.
Saskatchewan teachers have been without a contract since August 2023.
The STF represents approximately 13,500 educators in the province.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NDP calls out Conservatives for effort to squash pharmacare legislation
The federal New Democrats are calling out Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre and his party for trying to block the bill that could pave the way for millions of Canadians to access birth control and diabetes coverage.
Stamp prices rise for the third time in five years amid financial woes for Canada Post
Canada Post is increasing stamp prices for the third time since 2019, a move the Crown corporation says is a "reality" of its sales-based revenue structure.
Winnipeg man admits to killing four women, argues he's not criminally responsible
Defence lawyers of Jeremy Skibicki have admitted in court the accused killed four Indigenous women, but argues he is not criminally responsible for the deaths by way of mental disorder – this latest development has triggered a judge-alone trial rather than a jury trial.
An El Nino-less summer is coming. Here's what that could mean for Canada
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.
Mediterranean staple may lower your risk of death from dementia, study finds
A daily spoonful of olive oil could lower your risk of dying from dementia, according to a new study by Harvard scientists.
A subset of Alzheimer's cases may be caused by two copies of a single gene, new research shows
For the first time, researchers have identified a genetic form of late-in-life Alzheimer’s disease — in people who inherit two copies of a worrisome gene.
Ontario MPP asked again to leave Ontario legislature over keffiyeh, Speaker loosens ban
An Ontario MPP was asked again to leave the Ontario legislature on Monday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment that was banned by the Speaker last month due to its political symbolism.
WATCH Avian flu: Risk to humans grows as outbreaks spread, warns expert
H5N1 or avian flu is decimating wildlife around the world and is now spreading among cattle in the United States, sparking concerns about 'pandemic potential' for humans. Now a health expert is urging Canada to scale up surveillance north of the border.
Trudeau Liberals to unveil new bill Monday aimed at countering foreign interference
Democratic Institutions Minister Dominic LeBlanc will be tabling legislation on Monday aimed at countering foreign interference in Canada. Federal officials have scheduled a technical briefing on the incoming bill for Monday afternoon.