The Alberta Teachers’ Association

Teachers are angry about Stelmach’s comments

Question: I’m really ticked off at Premier Stelmach’s comments that the Alberta Teachers’ Association is to blame for the loss of teaching positions. What’s going on? Are we running an advertisement campaign to clarify our side of the story?

Answer: You are not alone in expressing your anger. Premier Stelmach’s comments have created a stir among teachers. I have received more calls and e-mails on this matter than I have on other matters for quite a long time. Teachers are angry and disappointed, and they are reacting negatively to assertions that are simply untrue. The Association spent more than 20 days at the table discussing a tripartite agreement with the government and the Alberta School Boards Association. The proposal being drafted by the government (one that would have required the approval of Association bargaining units and school boards) would have included a salary freeze in the 2011/12 school year. The premier was most ­certainly aware of these ­discussions.

Teachers are genuinely disappointed. Premier Stelmach had made huge strides in rebuilding a strong relationship between the Association and the Government of Alberta. Under his leadership, the issue of the unfunded liability of the teachers’ pension was resolved. Stelmach correctly understood that to resolve the pension issue was a good public policy decision. While the agreement reduced the teachers’ unfunded liability, the agreement also included changes to the 1992 pension agreement. These amendments saved the Government of Alberta about $48 billion over the life of that agreement. So it is indeed surprising to be kicked by someone so highly respected by many teachers.

As for telling our side of the story, ATA President Carol ­Henderson has written letters to the editors of the province’s newspapers and has been interviewed many times by the media on this matter. As a result, the media have certainly called into question Premier Stelmach’s comments.

The ATA will not be conducting an advertisement campaign. After October 1, 2011, we will have a new premier, and teachers and their Association are focusing on that. We are hopeful that the next premier will want to rebuild the relationship that has benefited the teaching profession, the government, and the students and parents we serve. There are many issues ahead to address and we will continue to focus on those issues, not on the premier’s ill-considered remarks.