The Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation (STF) has made public the details of a tentative Provincial Collective Bargaining Agreement reached between the Teachers’ Bargaining Committee and the Government-Trustee Bargaining Committee.

This agreement, covering a three-year term from September 1, 2023, to August 31, 2026, marks a significant step forward in addressing key issues faced by teachers, students, and families in Saskatchewan, the STF said in a media release.

STF President Samantha Becotte acknowledged that while the challenges in public education have taken a decade to develop and won’t be solved with a single agreement, this tentative agreement makes important progress. One of the primary issues addressed is classroom complexity. To provide transparency and ensure teacher involvement in funding allocation, an Accountability Framework will be signed by the STF, government, and the Saskatchewan School Boards Association (SSBA). This will be attached to the Provincial Collective Bargaining Agreement as a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).

Additionally, the agreement includes an $18 million per year allocation to address classroom complexity, which will be added to the Multi-Year Funding Agreement (MFA) previously signed by the government and SSBA. Another significant aspect is the creation of the Minister’s Task Force on Classroom Complexity, comprising teachers, students, and parents, to provide direct input on the underfunding challenges faced by public schools. The Task Force will submit a final report with solutions to the Minister of Education.

To tackle the issue of violence in classrooms, a policy table on violence-free classrooms will be established, chaired by the Ministry of Education and including representatives from the STF and SSBA. This table will define the scope of the issue, establish definitions, collect data, and set a reporting schedule.

The tentative agreement also outlines salary increases for teachers: three per cent for the 2023-24 and 2024-25 school years, and two per cent for 2025-26. Other provisions include the Supplemental Employment Benefits Plan, updated grievance procedures, roles of principals and vice-principals, and a Truth and Reconciliation preamble.

STF members will participate in a ratification vote on May 29 and 30, with results to be announced on the evening of May 30. This agreement represents a crucial step towards improving the conditions of public education in Saskatchewan.