Province seeks rollbacks but teachers digging in
The Saskatchewan government has proposed educators in the province take a 3.67-per-cent salary decrease, find comparable savings through reductions to employee benefit plans or take a 3.5-per-cent cut in total compensation through a combination of reductions.
But the union representing teachers — the Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation (STF) — is looking for a one-per-cent increase to the current salary grid, as well as increases in line with the consumer price index.
Premier Brad Wall signalled almost a year ago his desire to reduce public sector compensation by 3.5 per cent across the board, but he is set to retire at the end of January, putting the major wage reduction target in limbo during the ongoing negotiations.
Teachers are currently at the negotiating table with the province. Both parties are proposing a oneyear contract.
Although meetings between the parties were taking place Tuesday, the two sides appear far apart on wages.
Sources close to the negotiations contend the two sides have had little movement from their opening positions.
Current negotiations can be sent to an arbitrator if either side agrees to do so. In order for that to happen, a party would have to apply to the Educational Relations Board and be approved to have the matter turned over to arbitration.
An arbitrator’s decision would be final and binding for both parties. Essentially, that means a thirdparty will have the final say if negotiations hit an impasse.
It was the STF that decided to negotiate — for the first time ever — under binding arbitration rather than a conciliation process. The conciliation process has the two groups working through a mediator to settle on a contract, but does not prevent a potential strike or lockout.
Recent changes made by the province remove STF’s ability to choose in the future what form of negotiations are used. Going forward, both parties would have to agree to binding arbitration.
Some of those vying to replace Wall have suggested other ideas for solving the public-sector wage issue, and the slow-moving teacher negotiations could mean the province doesn’t want to handcuff Wall’s successor or the union is waiting to see what the new premier suggests.
To this point, Wall has had little success in achieving the 3.5-percent target. Finance Minister Donna Harpauer said earlier this month collective bargaining with public sector unions “doesn’t look promising.”
Those comments came after a union representing almost 1,800 SaskPower workers voted overwhelmingly against a comparable 3.5-per-cent wage rollback.
Asked about the teacher negotiations, the province said in a statement, “collective bargaining should and will be done at the table”
The other parties involved — the STF and Saskatchewan School Boards Association (SSBA) — declined to comment on what is taking place at the bargaining table.