The Alberta Teachers’ Association (ATA) announced Friday afternoon that discussions between teachers, the Alberta School Boards Association and Alberta Education have been called off.
The three organizations met numerous times over the past year to discuss a potential new funding framework that would see teachers forgo a 4.3 per cent salary increase in exchange for limiting the number of instructional hours.
In a meeting on Friday, Education Minister Dave Hancock advised the parties that it was not possible to come to an agreement at this time.
This means the current agreement, which dates back to 2007, will remain in place until it expires on August 31, 2012. At that point collective bargaining would resume.
Beginning Sept. 1, 2011, teachers will receive a salary increase, expected to be 4.3 per cent, based on the average earnings of Albertans in 2010.
“Through these 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,” said ATA president Carol Henderson, in a statement.
She said it will be the responsibility of school boards and the government to find the resources necessary to maintain the quality of teaching and learning conditions in schools.
“Albertans do not want to see class sizes increase, programs cut or teaching positions eliminated,” Henderson said.
She complimented the minister and his officials for the efforts made on behalf of public education. “It is not for want of their efforts that this process has come to an end.”
