With rising tensions between educators and the provincial government, Calgary’s school boards are beginning to plan for a potential strike come September.
Following overwhelming support for a strike authorization vote with nearly 38,000 teacher participants between May 22 and 26, Alberta teachers will vote on a strike between June 5-8.
“Teachers will now take part in a strike vote to stand up for their colleagues,” Alberta Teachers’ Association (ATA) president Jason Schilling said in a statement.
“Concrete steps are needed to improve the neglect the teaching profession has suffered over the last decade.”
The statement noted that at any point, it’s possible a resolution will be reached with the province’s school boards.
The Calgary Board of Education said they have a process for managing job action and are actively working on contingency plans.
“We will communicate with impacted groups as needed,” they said in a statement.
The Calgary Catholic School District (CCSD) said they value their teachers and will continue to share information.
“The CCSD is aware that teachers will be voting in the coming days to determine whether they want to take strike action,” a district issued statement read.
“We will continue to monitor the situation and share updates as information becomes available.”
If teachers vote in favour of a strike, the ATA’s Provincial Executive Council will then determine the details of any strike action, according to an ATA statement.
Teachers will have 120 days to initiate job action and must give 72 hours notice beforehand.
Kaiden Brayshaw,
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
LiveWire Calgary
