STF president 'incredibly disappointed' Sask. government won't agree to binding arbitration

The president of the Saskatchewan Teachers' Federation (STF) says she is "incredibly disappointed" to hear the provincial government is unwilling to agree to binding arbitration to address the issues of class size and complexity.

On Thursday, Samantha Becotte said teachers would immediately suspend job action and negotiations would proceed with the remaining items on the table for a new collective agreement if the government were to agree to binding arbitration.

If the two sides agreed to the process, they would each make their case to an independent third-party arbitrator, who would then make a decision. 

But Education Minister Jeremy Cockrill said the government won't agree to binding arbitration 

"That's not something we're looking at," Cockrill said on Thursday. 

"Binding arbitration would deal with items in the provincial collectively bargained agreement (CBA). We've been clear that these issues, class size, complexity, are not issues related to the CBA."

Becotte said teacher job action will continue and could escalate because the government refused to agree to binding arbitration on class size and complexity. She blamed the province for the consequences students and their families will face. 

"He is leaving kids behind in their opportunities and their ability to thrive in classrooms and continuing to disrespect teachers across the province in knowing the needs of their kids, knowing what is needed in our classrooms across the province," she said.

The STF noted in a news release on Thursday that in 2017, the government amended The Education Act to remove binding arbitration as an option if it's requested by one party.

"However, if both parties agree to binding arbitration there is nothing preventing the use of this resolution method," the news release said.

Becotte said she would like to see the Saskatchewan government reconsider their stance. 

"If the government is firm that it shouldn't be in the agreement, if they trust their position, they should have no issue in sending this to binding arbitration," Becotte said. 

"I don't know why he's fearful about putting it in the contract to begin with. It should be able to be bargained."

Schools in Saskatoon, Regina and several other communities closed over lunch Thursday as teachers refused lunch supervision duties in another rotating noon-hour strike.

The school divisions affected by Thursday's job action were Regina Catholic Schools, Regina Public Schools, Saskatoon Public Schools, Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools, Conseil des écoles fransaskoise, Chinook School Division, Holy Family Catholic School Division, North East School Division and Prairie Spirit School Division.

The nearly 13,000 teachers represented by the Saskatchewan Teachers' Federation (STF) also refused extracurricular duties Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, halting activities like sports, clubs and graduation planning in schools across the province.

Rotating job action has been ongoing since mid-January, following the breakdown in contract negotiations between the STF and the provincial government. 

Sask. NDP Leader Carla Beck said Wednesday that a deal has "always been possible" but it's clear that intervention is needed.

"If they were to agree, [binding arbitration] would get all parties back to the table and ensure there are no more disruptions for students," she told reporters at the Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities annual convention in Regina.

On Tuesday afternoon, Premier Scott Moe called the job actions and disruptions to extracurricular activities disappointing.

"We've been very clear that we're looking to move and have moved on a number of topics. The STF has not moved on any topics that they have brought to the table and we're trying to make every effort to find solutions to ensure that our children can stay in school and they have access to their extracurricular basketball and such," Moe told reporters at an unrelated announcement in Warman.

The premier said he "respectfully requests" teachers leave the picket line and come to the table.

Last week, the Sask. Party government announced a rare pre-budget funding agreement with the Saskatchewan School Boards Association for $356 million annually for the next four years.

However, the STF has criticized the deal, which guarantees funding for the next fiscal year but leaves the following years subject to appropriation, meaning the province could decide to change the amount or take it away altogether. 

Becotte has also said teachers are open to returning to the bargaining table to discuss the government's funding proposal, but with certain conditions, including that school divisions "cannot use these new funds for anything other than student support."