The classroom complexity issue is to be added to the Collective Bargaining Agreement for Saskatchewan teachers.
The thorny matter was one of the sticking points that saw the Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation (STF) take on the province for an entire school year as contract negotiations soured and teachers left the classroom to protest in freezing winter temperatures.
The Arbitration Board will include classroom complexity as a new article.
“The collective efforts of so many people throughout the province brought attention to the issues facing Saskatchewan students. This is a hard-won first step to ensure these critical issues will be addressed,” says STF President Samantha Becotte. “This decision is a decade in the making and will have a significant impact on students, teachers and the future of public education in Saskatchewan.”
The class complexity fund of $20 million per year will stand along with other provincial funding.
The Teachers’ Bargaining Committee and Government-Trustee Bargaining Committee are being directed by the Board to agree on collective agreement language for the class complexity provisions.
If an agreement cannot be reached the matter will be punted back to the Arbitration Board.
Teachers’ salaries will see an increase of nine percent over three years.
The breaks down is:
- Four percent retroactive to September 1, 2023.
- Three percent retroactive to September 1, 2024
- Two percent as of September 1, 2025
After over a year of job action and failed contract talks, the negotiations went to binding arbitration in December, 2024.
