Polls open for teachers as they vote on potential strike

A classroom at an unidentified Alberta school.

Alberta teachers will take to the polls over the next four days to determine whether or not they will go on strike.

The Alberta Teachers’ Association (ATA) and the province have been in collective bargaining agreement negotiations since August when the contract with teachers expired.

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Teachers have been calling on the province for higher pay as well as more supports and resources as they deal with classroom complexities.

The ATA rejected a mediator’s recommendations for a new provincial collective agreement earlier in May. The recommendations included a general wage increase of three per cent per year, a process for teachers to deal with classroom complexities and $400 million in classroom improvements.

Following the rejection, the ATA initiated a strike authorization vote to gauge the temperature of its members. Nearly all who voted were in favour of going to a strike vote.

• 99 per cent of Alberta teachers urge for formal strike vote

Since then, negotiations have been left in limbo as the ATA determines its next move.

If teachers vote in favour of a strike, they will have 120 days to take action unless a resolution is made between the provincial government’s Teachers’ Employer Bargaining Association and the ATA.

Online voting will take place June 5-8.