Page Content
Question: Now that the provincial budget is public and there will be a reduction in teaching positions, is there any chance of revisiting the tripartite discussions?
Answer: Not at this time.
As you know, earlier this year, the Alberta Teachers’ Association participated in tripartite discussions with the Government of Alberta and Alberta School Boards Association. Although the discussions were not completed, a major component of the discussions was the government’s interest in reducing the 2011–12 salary increase and a willingness to maintain teaching positions, limit teacher assignable time and reduce teacher instructional time.
Representatives of the Government of Alberta met with the Alberta Teachers’ Association and the Alberta School Boards Association over several months to develop a proposal that they could then present to school boards and teachers. The proposal was never made because the minister of education failed to obtain the support of Treasury Board. In addition, school boards were concerned about loss of instructional time and what they saw as loss of control in the directions proposed by government. The Association was not able to test the interest of members, as the tripartite discussions ended without a proposal from the government.
We remain hopeful that tripartite discussions will resume later this year. The government, school boards and your Association have an interest in continuing labour peace, and there may be renewed efforts in the months ahead to discuss how to get there for the period commencing September 1, 2012.
Questions for consideration in this column are welcome. Please address them to Gordon Thomas at Barnett House (gordon.thomas@ata.ab.ca).
