ATA to Challenge Bill 2

Based on the most recent messaging coming from government, the Alberta Teachers’ Association foresees that classes will resume on Wednesday, October 29. We will provide further information as soon as possible. Also watch for updates from your employing board.

The following information is the result of a meeting of Provincial Executive Council (PEC) held on the evening of Monday, October 27. PEC will meet again on the morning of Tuesday, October 28 and a virtual member information meeting (MIM) will be scheduled for 3:00 PM the same day. Please register for the MIM in Members' Only.

ATA responds to Bill 2, Back to School Act

The Alberta government’s move to force teachers back to work with legislation that invokes the notwithstanding clause is a reckless and historic abuse of power. It is the first time the Alberta government has used this extraordinary measure to override the rights of Albertans.

This legislation is a gross violation of the foundational principles of collective bargaining and the ability of workers to organize and bargain collectively. Rights are indivisible. An attack on teachers’ right to free association is an attack on all workers and sets a precedent for this government to trample on other fundamental freedoms and individual rights.

We must be clear: although this legislation will end the strike and lift the lockout, it does not end the underfunding and deterioration of teaching and learning conditions—our schools will not be better for it.

Will the Association support a continuation of strike action and/or work-to-rule by Alberta Teachers?

In Alberta, in the absence of a legal strike mandate, a work-to-rule may constitute a strike.

As such, and given the imminent passage and coming into force of Bill 2, the Association cannot authorize or support a work-to-rule.

We will instruct teachers to return to their classrooms, abide by the conditions of their employment, meet their professional obligations and maintain any formal commitments they have made.

But we also realize that teachers, who are demoralized and exhausted, need to look to their own well being and take care of themselves—for their own good and that of their students and their loved ones. Teachers will need to assess and decide individually whether or not they have the capacity to take on any NEW initiatives, projects or assignments beyond their current core work and responsibilities or previously agreed-to commitments. Teachers’ professional decisions will be respected and supported by their colleagues and their Association.

Legal challenge to come

The Association has taken the position that it will pursue all legal alternatives to challenge Bill 2’s egregious assault on the collective bargaining rights of teachers and, by extension, all workers. In this effort, we anticipate that we will be supported by organized labour, civil society and ordinary citizens. This fight has just begun.

Our message to our members is that your sacrifice over the last 22 days has sparked a provincewide movement that crosses traditional political and geographic divides. It is a movement that will continue until real improvements in your working conditions, and the learning conditions of 720,000 students, are realized and until you are compensated fairly for your service.

Our message to the government is simple: we are still here. Our struggle to achieve our legitimate objectives will continue by other means until you deliver the concrete, enforceable and accountable measures to improve classroom conditions.

Let us reiterate, when Alberta schools reopen, we will still have the lowest level of spending per student in the country and, with the single exception of Prince Edward Island, will be the only Canadian province without some way of addressing class size or complexity. We can do better—what is needed is political will.