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Teachers

Alberta Government Introduces Bill 2 to End Teachers' Strike and Establish New Collective Agreement

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The prolonged teachers' strike in Alberta, Canada, has reached a critical juncture, with the government introducing Bill 2, the Back to School Act, to end the strike and establish reasonable terms for a new teacher collective agreement. The proposed legislation aims to put students back at the centre of the education system, providing a positive path forward despite the interrupted school year. The Bill seeks to address the concerns of teachers, parents, and the education system as a whole.

Key Takeaways:

  • Bill 2 seeks to end the province-wide teachers' strike and legislates a new collective agreement that covers Sept. 1, 2024, to Aug. 31, 2028.
  • The agreement provides a 12 per cent salary increase over four years, additional market adjustments of up to 17 per cent for 95 per cent of members, and 3,000 new teachers and 1,500 educational assistants to reduce class sizes and enhance support.
  • The terms reflect the September 2025 tentative agreement recommended by the Alberta Teachers' Association leadership.
  • The legislation includes financial penalties for non-compliance and suspends local bargaining during the agreement to ensure labour stability through 2028.
  • Premier Danielle Smith and Minister of Justice and Attorney General Mickey Amery emphasize that the strike has caused irreparable harm on student learning and that the government will use every available legal tool in defense of students.

Statistics:

  • 3,000 new teachers will be hired to reduce class sizes and enhance support.
  • 1,500 educational assistants will be hired to provide additional support to students and teachers.
  • 95 per cent of teachers will receive additional market adjustments of up to 17 per cent.
  • The collective agreement will be in effect from Sept. 1, 2024, to Aug. 31, 2028.
  • The legislation includes financial penalties for non-compliance.

Sources:

  • Premier Letter to Alberta Parents and Guardians
  • Premier Letter to Teachers
  • News conference transcript
  • Alberta Government press release (http://milnz.co.nz/mil-osi-aggregation/)

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