The Alberta Teachers’ Association

Boards and bargaining units have work cut out for them

Question: I am not happy with the government of Premier Alison Redford. The government has created an artificial crisis in funding by pretending that Alberta has a “spending problem,” not a “revenue problem.” And I’m unhappy with Minister of Education Jeff Johnson, who has interfered with local bargaining. Despite my misgivings, I will vote in favour of the premier’s offer because I believe that it is the best alternative under the circumstances and there are some important professional gains. But what happens if a school board refuses to accept the premier’s offer? Do we get the punitive legislation the education minister was promising?

Answer: Minister of Education Jeff Johnson is working hard to convince all 62 school boards that they need to ratify the framework agreement. In a recent news release announcing that the Palliser School Division and the bargaining unit had ratified the premier’s offer, the minister restated his position that all school boards need to ratify the framework agreement. Minister Johnson has his considerable powers of personal suasion to work with individual boards. He is also in a position to clarify funding levels or other school board needs to ensure board support for the premier’s offer. The minister may also inquire about the management, administration and operation of the school board (as outlined in section 41 of the School Act) and he may make an order that “seems proper to the Minister.” Johnson also has the authority, under section 42 of the School Act, to remove the board of trustees and replace the board with an official trustee. The minister could then direct the newly appointed official trustee to approve the premier’s offer.

The responsibility of the Alberta Teachers’ Association, as outlined in the premier’s offer, is to use its best efforts to ratify the framework agreement in each of 62 bargaining units. This process is now underway and the offer is being taken to a general meeting of each bargaining unit for approval. The ATA is directing its attention to that responsibility and we will complete that process. We fully expect that all bargaining units will ratify the offer by the May 13 deadline.

The Association’s energy is going into providing information to its members so they can make decisions in each bargaining unit about the premier’s offer and we will continue to make our best efforts to achieve ratification of the premier’s offer. Please participate in the general meeting of your bargaining unit, learn more about the premier’s offer and vote.