Update on the Tripartite Discussions - Workforce Stability

For the past couple of months, the Alberta Government along with the Alberta School Boards Association (ASBA) and the Alberta Teachers Association (ATA) have been in discussions around workforce stability and the transformation of K to 12 Education. As you may remember, parents were asked by trustees for feedback on these Tripartite discussions in the fall of this school year. Recently, the Alberta Teachers Association posted an update on some of the proposals that may be coming forward as part of a package to extend collective aggreements to 2015 - the workforce stability piece. Workforce stability is seen as critical to the process of educational transformation.

One of these proposals asks teachers to back off the current 4.3% salary increase due this year and in following years. In return, the government would ensure limits on the amount of time teachers would be responsible for instructing students and formally assigned duties outside instruction. Teachers could adjust their workload and have more time to dedicate to lesson preparation, professional development, and other initiatives at both the community, board and provincial level. Teachers would continue to contribute their time to support student activities outside their terms of employment.

There are other items in this proposal of interest to parents so we would encourage you to have a look. A formal proposal is expected from the government in a matter of weeks. For additional background, you can check out the ATA Local 38 website and the Calgary Sun article, "Teachers asked to waive raise."