Tentative agreement reached on Sask. teacher contract: bargaining committees

Both sides in the ongoing contract negotiations for teachers in Saskatchewan say a tentative agreement has been reached on a new teacher contract.

Earlier this month, members of the Saskatchewan Teachers' Federation voted overwhelmingly to reject a "final offer" from the government— which included an eight per cent salary increase over three years and some retroactive pay. The STF represents more than 13,000 educators in the province. Details of the proposed agreement haven't been released.

In a news conference Friday afternoon, STF president Samantha Becotte confirmed that the teachers bargaining committee and the government trustee bargaining committee have reached a tentative agreement. 

She said that they are endorsing the agreement and communications to members about the details of the agreement will occur over the next few days. 

On May 21 and May 22, an all-members virtual town hall will be held to present the details of the agreement.

'A good start and a step in the right direction': STF 

The vote on the tentative agreement will be held on May 29 and May 30. 

"This has not been an easy process for anyone involved, but we have arrived at a mutually acceptable agreement that will begin to respond to students' needs," Becotte said.

"The minister and I have both acknowledged that challenges with classroom complexity have compounded over a decade and solutions won't be found in one budget cycle or one collective agreement, but this is a good start and a step in the right direction."

While Becotte did not reveal details of the agreement, she noted the "positive relationships" that developed at the table. She said she observed a "change of tone at the table" and is feeling "a little relieved."

"Despite the challenges that we have faced, it is evident that the people involved care about public education and about students," she said. 

"I want to personally thank the minister for listening to teachers, students and their families and for his work advocating to the government caucus and his commitment to finding improvements for public education in Saskatchewan."

Becotte said the 90 per cent "no" vote on the last deal as well as Thursday's vote on further sanctions if necessary was a message to the government that their final offer hadn't been sufficient. 

In a news release, Education Minister Jeremy Cockrill thanked teachers, parents and students for their patience.

"I am hopeful that the tentative agreement will be finalized so that predictability is provided to families and teachers."

Previous job action included work-to-rule campaign

The two sides have been at loggerheads for months, and there have been weeks of job action.

That included a work-to-rule campaign that meant noon-time supervision and other extra-curricular activities were cancelled.

The two sides went back to the bargaining table earlier this week.

One of the main sticking points has been class size and complexity.

The union wants guarantees on those issues to be put in the contract, but the government-school board bargaining committee says they should be dealt with by local school boards.