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ATA President Carol Henderson’s response to Premier Stelmach’s statement that teachers are to blame for loss of teaching positions
Premier Ed Stelmach blames the Alberta Teachers’ Association for the expected loss of teaching positions next fall.
In a statement to media on May 30, Stelmach said that nurses, doctors and public employees took a salary freeze whereas, for teachers, "the union took a little different position and as a result instead of jobs continuing they went for raises."
ATA President Carol Henderson took great exception to the premier’s statement, calling it "simply inaccurate."
In an interview with CTV, May 30, Henderson said: "We certainly did not choose raises over teaching positions. We definitely did not. I find it very interesting because we were never given an offer to give to our teachers. I believe the premier is providing incorrect information to the media."
In 2007, the ATA signed a five-year agreement with the government that included provisions for teacher salary increases tied to Alberta Average Weekly Earnings. In a written commitment, dated November 23, 2007, Premier Stelmach stated: "I pledge to seek the Legislative Assembly’s support for the necessary funding to enable the Memorandum of Agreement’s full execution and provide a five-year stable learning environment for teachers, students, school boards and Albertans." (See Premier Stelmach’s letter, page 3.)
Last fall, in an attempt to prevent job losses, the ATA, school boards and the department of education discussed the possibility of forgoing a salary increase, securing continuing workforce stability and facilitating transformative change.
The ATA participated in these discussions—actively, openly and in good faith—throughout the fall and into January 2011.
"Although there were more than 20 meetings, the government never presented a formal offer for the Association to bring back to teachers," said Henderson. "After the premier resigned in January, the minister called off the discussions."
On January 28, 2011, President Henderson, Education Minister Dave Hancock and President Jacquie Hansen, Alberta School Boards Association, signed a joint statement: "Though all three parties share a common interest in ensuring Alberta students receive the best possible education, we will not be moving ahead with an agreement at this time." (See, Joint statement from Alberta Education, Alberta Teachers’ Association and Alberta School Boards Association—January 28, 2011, www.teachers.ab.ca.)
The February 8, 2011, issue of the ATA News informed teachers that "the Honourable Dave Hancock, minister of education, advised the parties that it was not possible to come to an agreement." In the ATA News article, President Henderson is quoted as saying, "Through these tripartite discussions, teachers were seeking solutions that would maintain programs, support the transformation of Alberta’s education system and extend the professional responsibilities of their Association in challenging economic and political times. While I don’t know whether teachers would have accepted the government’s proposal, I do know that it would have generated a lot of focused discussion about teaching and learning conditions, discussions we need to have."
Additional information is published on page 3 of this issue of the ATA News.
- Premier Stelmach’s letter—November 23, 2007
- "Tripartite discussions come to an end"—ATA News, February 8, 2011
