The Alberta government is expected to table legislation today ordering thousands of striking teachers back to work and end their weeks-long strike.
Premier Danielle Smith has said the strike, which began October 6, has continued for too long and that it’s hurting children. She has said barring an 11th-hour deal, her government would table back-to-work legislation Monday to force an end to the job action and return kids to class.
The Alberta Teachers Association and the provincial government have been at a stalemate over wages and classroom conditions, with the province’s latest offer including a 12 per cent wage hike over four years and a promise to hire 3,000 more teachers. If the bill is passed before Tuesday, teachers may be forced to return to classrooms as early as Thursday.
A statement from Finance Minister Nate Horner’s office said the government would pass the legislation on Monday with the intent to get students back in school as early as possible. It’s not a new concept. Back in 2002, Alberta teachers initiated a legal challenge after the Ralph Klein government passed emergency legislation ordering teachers back to work. Teachers won that case. The Klein government declared the strike a public emergency at that time. If the teachers’ union were to go to court this time around, the case would have to be called on the basis that Bill 2 is contrary to the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
The Alberta Federation of Labour, which represents more than 350,000 workers, has threatened to mobilize if the government invokes the notwithstanding clause.
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