Looming teachers’ strike about ‘how much money’ Alberta puts into public education: expert

Professor of human resources and labour relations at Athabasca University, Jason Foster joined CTV Morning Live Edmonton on what to expect if teachers strike.

The threat of a teachers’ strike is looming large. After talks between the province and the union, there was a vote to lock teachers out if it comes to that on Friday. Jason Foster, a professor of human resources and labour relations at Athabasca University, joined CTV Morning Live Edmonton’s Kent Morrison on what we can expect.

This transcript has been edited for length and clarity.

Kent Morrison: On Friday, the Education Minister accused teachers of playing politics and the ATA could have issued a strike notice but that didn’t happen. What’s your take on teachers not doing that?

Jason Foster: I think what that tells me is that the teachers union thinks they’re close enough, they want to keep trying. The government rhetoric on Friday, that was expected. You sometimes expect, as it gets closer, people to get heated. The rhetoric kind of ramps up. I also think it was an attempt on the government’s part to try and start to sway public opinion more towards the government’s favour.

Kent: We had the government coming up with their fiscal announcements at the end of last week, talking about how tight money is, then on Friday, they said that they don’t have enough money for the wages the teachers are asking for. What’s your take there?

Jason: We’ve seen this before. We also have to remember that the government, just in the last budget, implemented a gigantic tax cut, so they’re making some choices that mean whether they have money or don’t have money. What most Albertans just want to know is that their education system is working right. That’s what matters to them. That’s what the unstated part of this dynamic we’ve seen over the last few days is about. It’s about tussling over how much money we put into our education system.

Kent: Do you think we’re going to have job action, a strike and a lockout?

Jason: I think the lockout has become a lot closer, given that the employers have voted in favour of launching that lockout. It doesn’t mean they have to do it today and doesn’t mean they have to do it tomorrow, but that does leave me a little more pessimistic that the two parties are actually going to find a settlement. I think unfortunately, parents are going to have to hang around on tenterhooks for a couple more days.

Kent: Do you have any insight on how this might unfold? Will parents be given a week’s notice? Three days notice? 72 hours? How much notice will people get?

Jason: It’ll be 72 hours. That’s the legal minimum, and that’s usually what parties do. At some point, one of the parties could decide to pull the plug. The teachers are also in a position where they could issue that notice anytime they wish, so that’s three days’ notice, and then we’ll have to see what happens there.

Kent: Do you expect, if we get to that point, this may last a long time?

Jason: No, this strike will not be prolonged for a number of reasons. One is, the parties are relatively close, so as you ramp up the pressure (and) as you get closer to a strike, both parties get increased willingness and ability to be able to find that deal. I still think a deal is possible. If a strike happens, it will be relatively short, either because they’ll find a deal or the government will use one of the tools that it has at its disposal to try to bring that dispute to an end.

Kent: What advice would you have for parents who are watching this right now?

Jason: Take it day by day and keep your eye on the news.