Alberta will offer financial assistance and learning supports to parents in the event of a teachers’ strike next week. At a press conference on Tuesday in Calgary, Premier Danielle Smith said she was disappointed by the ATA rejection of the province’s contract offer, with a potential Oct. 6 strike only days away. Treasury minister Nate Horner also said he was “deeply disappointed” by the rejection of the province’s latest contract offer. The deal was rejected by close to 90 per cent of the teachers over the weekend after being tentatively accepted by negotiators for the Alberta Teachers’ Association (ATA). “The latest offer put $2.6 billion on the table, $300 million more than in the spring,” Horner said. “Though it was not accepted by teachers, it was substantially more than what was offered in the spring.” He said the offer that was rejected by teachers over the weekend was put forward by the ATA and accepted by provincial negotiators. “It was freely-negotiated and agreed upon,” Horner said. “I’m left questioning what exactly teachers want. I believe it is harmful for the union to strike without clearly understanding and presenting what their members are looking for.” ‘Ludicrous’ ATA president Jason Schilling said earlier Tuesday that teachers sent a clear message Monday night by overwhelmingly rejecting the latest contract offer from Smith’s government negotiators. In an interview on Corus radio, Schilling said the government’s offer of a 12-per-cent pay raise over four years and a promise to hire 3,000 more teachers was a drop in the bucket compared to what’s needed to catch up on wages and reduce overcrowded classrooms. He said the government’s suggestion that teachers were out of touch with their demands was “ludicrous.” Schilling posted a reaction to Horner’s comments on social media just before 2 p.m. Tuesday. “Just watched the press conference with the Premier, Minister Horner & Minister Nicolaides,” he wrote. “The government may be disappointed; nearly 90 per cent of teachers rejected the agreement—not once, but twice. That’s not confusion. That’s clarity." Monday night, Schilling said the rejection of the contract offer left teachers feeling “disrespected.” “The proposed agreement failed to meet the needs of teachers, failed to improve student classroom conditions in a concrete and meaningful way, and failed to show teachers the respect they deserve,” said Schilling at a press conference following the results. Schilling said teachers are dissatisfied with the agreement, but are also frustrated with other mandates the province has recently put on education, such as the book ban and trans legislation. “Our members, quite honestly, are feeling extremely disrespected by the government,” he said. Payment program The province said to help ease extra costs brought on by a strike, eligible parents or guardians will receive $150 a week per student for the duration of a strike, with the first payment being made Oct. 31. More information is available here. Late Tuesday afternoon, the ATA issued a formal statement from Schilling on the news that the province would provide financial support to parents in the event of a strike. He argued the government’s promise to provide parents $150 per week, or $30 per day, per student while teachers strike is counterintuitive to investing in classrooms. “This amounts to almost twice as much as teachers are paid to teach those same students in their own classroom,” he said. “In other words, the government would rather pay parents to wait out a strike than pay teachers to prevent one.” Toolkit The province has also created a free toolkit for parents that it says follows the grades K-12 curriculum. The toolkit focuses on the core subjects of language arts, social studies, math and sciences and will be updated weekly. “We understand that the possibility of a teacher strike brings uncertainty and concerns for families,” said education and childcare minister Demetrios Nicolaides. “That’s why Alberta’s government is supporting families with practical tools and resources to help maintain their child’s learning if schools are closed. This parent toolkit offers flexibility, choice, and curriculum-aligned materials to empower families, ease the pressure they’re facing and keep students engaged.” Alberta NDP leader Naheed Nenshi blasted the government after the contract offer was rejected Monday night. “We need a government that is committed to investing in public education and values teachers for the incredible work they do,” Nenshi said. “Today, and always, Alberta’s New Democrats stand with teachers, students, and parents.” Airdrie-Cochrane MLA Peter Guthrie, who is trying to revive the Progressive Conservative party brand in the province after quitting the UCP caucus, slammed the government for provoking the teachers. “Teachers are on strike starting Oct. 6 and it’s not their fault,” Guthrie wrote. “Danielle Smith and the UCP have pushed them to the breaking point. Overcrowded classrooms, unsupported students with complex needs, and families scrambling for childcare are all the result of this government’s neglect - not the teachers. “Meanwhile, the UCP continues to pour taxpayer dollars into pet projects instead of investing in Alberta’s kids. This strike isn’t on the teachers - it’s on the UCP for abandoning students and families to protect their political and corporate interests.” With files from The Canadian Press and CTV News Edmonton’s Angela Amato
