(file photo/ CHAT News Today)

By Tiffany Goodwein

‘A little disappointing:’ Teacher’s association reacts to new bill, wage freeze

Mar 4, 2020 | 5:34 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB.-Uncertainty is billowing, according to the Alberta Teacher’s Association, as to what collective bargaining will look like following a bill introduced by the finance minister Tuesday.

Finance minister Travis Toews introduced a bill that if passed would shift bargaining authority away from the education department to the finance ministry.

The province has stated a separte board would negotiate directly with the teachers association, but just how is unclear.

Toews also reinforced Tuesday that there would be no money available for wage increases for teachers and other public-sector workers.

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The proposed wage freeze is all part of the province’s plan to tighten their belts and balance the budget, but it’s a concern for the Alberta Teacher’s Association.

” It was a little disappointing to hear that for two reasons,” said Val Browne president of the Local 1 of the Alberta Teacher’s Association. “The first one is that teachers have not received an increase in the last six out of seven years, and secondly is also the fact that the legislation is in an omnibus format which means that there will be several bills presented together, it doesn’t really allow for meaningful public debate and discourse.”

And bargaining negotiations are looming for Alberta teachers . Their contract with the province is set to expire August 31.

With files from The Canadian Press.