The Alberta Teachers’ Association

“Hello, this is Carol Henderson speaking.”

You might have received a call last week from your president, Carol Henderson. She called the homes of 40,000 teachers to invite them to participate in a telephone town hall on the provincial election. But don’t worry about blisters on her dialing fingers—the calls were delivered using a new technology called Broadcast Voice Mail.

Over 10,000 teachers participated in an all-party telephone town hall on April 3 that featured Education Minister Thomas Lukaszuk representing the Progressive Conservatives, Liberal leader Raj ­Sherman, Wildrose senate candidate Vitor Marciano, NDP candidate Deron Bilous and Alberta Party leader Glenn Taylor, all of whom faced tough questions from callers and each other.

Workload and bargaining

A poll of town-hall participants revealed that 63 per cent felt that workload was a significant issue facing the profession. For his part, Minister Lukaszuk said, “I want to see as much of your time in front of students because that is when students get the best education.” He went on to say that collective agreements should try to decrease ­bureaucratic paperwork. The NDP’s Deron Bilous said, “Part of ­attracting and retaining teachers is taking a close look at teacher workload,” and Glenn Taylor, of the Alberta Party, said, “It shouldn’t be 60 hours a week [of work], because then you are not at your best when you are in front of students.” Both Bilous and Taylor supported negotiating workload in collective agreements.

The Wildrose party was also asked about teacher bargaining. Policy passed at its 2010 annual general meeting states, “A Wildrose Government will examine what services should be categorized as ‘essential services’ and implement reforms that will ensure those employed in ‘essential services’ are treated fairly.” This statement softens previous policy that called for teaching to be declared an essential service.

Wildrose representative Vitor Marciano was asked whether the party would preserve teachers’ right to strike and how a Wildrose government would respond to a labour dispute. Marciano dodged the ­question by focusing on local bargaining: “I think that the right to strike is much more available to teachers where you have local government. Local bargaining allows for better decisions on the part of school boards; it allows for the give and take of negotiations.” He added, “I view unions as a positive contributor to society.”

Class size, policy

In another poll, 52 per cent of the town-hall participants identified large classes as the most significant funding issue in education.

Liberal Party leader Raj Sherman, citing the 2002 Alberta Commission on Learning, suggested that class sizes cannot be based on ­averages. He then took the PCs to task for their budgeting, accusing them of “underfunding the system.”

With respect to policy issues, 36 per cent of participants identified standardized tests as the most significant issue, and 25 per cent said curriculum for the 21st century was the biggest issue.

It’s up to you now. Vote.

Because the Alberta Teachers’ Association is nonpartisan, the goal of the telephone town hall was not to endorse a particular party; rather, it was to help teachers understand what the parties are saying about education and to convey teachers’ concerns to candidates.

Teachers have suggested that workload, class size and standardized tests are important issues. Now is the time to talk to your local candidates about these issues. Now is the time to talk to your friends and neighbours about the issues. Now is the time to get out and vote for candidates that best represent your views.