In a move set to disrupt regular school operations, the Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation (STF) has issued a 72-hour notice for a one-day rotating strike on Monday, March 4.
While only 48 hours’ notice is legally required for job action, the extended notice allows families additional time to make necessary arrangements.
The rotating strike entails the withdrawal of all professional and voluntary services for a 24-hour period. Teachers, members of various local associations, spanning Regina, Moose Jaw, Gravelbourg, and other regions, will not report to school and will abstain from performing any teaching-related duties on the designated day.
The teacher’s association units that will be on strike Monday are: Association Locale des Enseignantes et des Enseignants Fransaskois – École Mgr de Laval Pavillon Secondaire des Quatre Vents (Regina), École du Parc (Regina), École Mgr de Laval Pavillon Primaire (Regina), École Ducharme (Moose Jaw) and École Mathieu de Gravelbourg (Gravelbourg), École Beau Soleil (Gravelbourg), École de Bellegarde (Bellegarde)
Holy Family Teachers’ Association – All schools in Holy Family Catholic School Division
Prairie South Teachers’ Association – All schools in Prairie South School Division
Regina Public Teachers’ Association – All schools in Regina Public School
Regina Catholic Teachers’ Association – All schools in Regina Catholic Schools
Saskatchewan Distance Learning Corporation – South Central Campus (Moose Jaw) and South East Campus (Estevan)
South East
Notably, the STF has chosen the first day of the spring legislative session for their strike action. Striking teachers will congregate outside the Saskatchewan Legislative Building in Regina from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. during this period, emphasizing their concerns on critical education issues.
STF President Samantha Becotte conveyed the union’s frustration, stating, “Government has ignored calls, emails, meeting requests, and office visits from teachers, parents, and concerned citizens. It will be awfully difficult for them to ignore us on Monday as they return for the spring session.”
Becotte further highlighted the widespread support received from Saskatchewan residents, with over 110,000 emails sent to the government and school board trustees since January. The STF contends that, despite overwhelming support for their actions, the government remains unyielding in its stance.
Recognizing the inconvenience to families, especially parents and caregivers, during the strike action, the STF urges concerned individuals to contact their elected officials and school board trustees. The goal is to encourage the government to provide the bargaining committee with a renewed mandate for good-faith negotiations on the key issues raised by teachers. Supporters can also visit www.tellthemtuesday.com to express solidarity with the teachers’ cause.
