The following is an excerpt of a speech delivered at the ATA’s Collective Bargaining Conference on April 18. The event was attended by members of teacher welfare committees from bargaining units across the province.
Good morning colleagues,
The road ahead is not easy. We are at the precipice of a challenging round of collective bargaining with the Teachers’ Employer Bargaining Association and the Government of Alberta. Members face significant demands and stressors, and the obstacles we must overcome are daunting. But let me be clear: in the face of adversity, we stand united, resolute and unwavering in our commitment to securing a brighter future for ourselves and our colleagues. After all, a teacher’s working conditions are a student’s learning conditions. It is a hand-in-glove relationship; a benefit to one is beneficial to both.
I want to share some insights gained from the 2024 Central Table Needs Bargaining Survey that underscores our membership’s depth of commitment and engagement. These results are derived from an online survey conducted between January 29 and March 1, 2024. Through diligent outreach efforts, we garnered an impressive 19,799 responses. Of these, 14,679 were complete responses, demonstrating members’ dedication as they stayed with the survey until the end and pressed submit. This level of participation and engagement speaks volumes about the passion and commitment of our membership.
Comparatively, in the previous round of central bargaining in 2020, where we had two surveys for members due to the pandemic, the response rate was consistent with previous rounds, with approximately 8,000 to 9,000 members completing the survey. The increased participation in this current round demonstrates the dedication of our membership in actively participating in the bargaining process, underscoring the importance and significance of our collective efforts.
Three fundamental pillars lie at the heart of our aspirations: salary improvements, classroom complexity (including classroom size and composition) and the protection of group health benefit premiums. These are not mere bargaining chips but essential components of a thriving education system that empowers teachers and nurtures every student’s potential. Yet, we must also be aware of the challenges that frame our negotiations. The path to progress may be fraught with challenges, but in moments like these, the strength of our unity, determination and collective action shines brightest.
In our quest to understand the convictions of our members, we delved into the very environments where they dedicate their time, passion and expertise. The insights gleaned from our inquiries reveal a sobering reality: safety and respect within our classrooms are not progressing as we had hoped. Indeed, the data paints a concerning picture, indicating a decline in the perception of a generally safe work environment since 2020.
Specifically, it’s disheartening to note that nearly six percent fewer teachers reported feeling their work environment was generally safe compared to the previous survey cycle. This downward trend is troubling and demands our urgent attention and concerted efforts to reverse it.
Among the most alarming findings is the revelation that a significant proportion of our educators have experienced threats of violence, with a staggering 31 percent reporting such instances. Even more distressing is the fact that some of these threats involved weapons, a reality faced by approximately six percent of respondents. The safety of our teachers should never be compromised, and these statistics serve as a stark reminder of the challenges we must confront head-on.
Despite these challenges, it’s heartening to note that most respondents did not miss school due to issues related to the school environment. However, this should not diminish the gravity of the problems highlighted. Instead, it underscores the resilience and dedication of our members, who persevere in the face of adversity to fulfill their mission of educating and nurturing the next generation.
Safety first
As we reflect on these findings, it becomes abundantly clear that creating safe and respectful work environments must be a top priority. Our teachers deserve nothing less than environments where they feel valued, supported and protected. This is not just a matter of policy or procedure; it’s a moral imperative that speaks to the very essence of who we are as educators and as a society.
Together, we are a force to be reckoned with, capable of effecting meaningful change and shaping the future of education in Alberta and beyond.
Making a difference, especially with high aspirations, will require members’ significant conviction and willingness to take action, potentially including the complete withdrawal of labour from the system. Understanding our members’ convictions is paramount and serves as the compass guiding our collective actions and decisions. Within this understanding, we find the strength to navigate the challenges ahead and forge a path toward a brighter future for all educators.
The information from the survey and through conversations with members at conventions offers a glimpse into the commitment levels of our members across various demographics, from big urban centers to rurban communities to rural and remote. While we acknowledge that these levels may not yet meet the threshold required for potential labour action, they are a testament to our colleagues’ unwavering dedication and determination.
Indeed, the data presented reveals commitment levels that surpass those of the previous bargaining round by a significant margin. This is a cause for both celebration and reflection. Celebration because it demonstrates the growing solidarity and unity among our ranks, and reflection because it underscores the urgency of our mission to advocate for the rights and well-being of every teacher.
Our members’ increased conviction is a powerful catalyst for change, propelling us forward as we strive to achieve our shared goals.
Comparatively, the contrast is striking when we look back at the 2020 round of central table bargaining. The conviction demonstrated by our members today is more than double what it was during that pivotal moment in our collective history. This growth, this evolution, is a testament to the resilience and determination of our community. It speaks to our unwavering commitment to securing a better future for ourselves, our colleagues and the generations of students who depend on us.
In essence, the data before us is more than just numbers on a page; it reflects the passion, dedication and unwavering belief in our cause that define us as teachers. It reminds us that our collective strength, even in adversity, knows no bounds. Together, we are a force to be reckoned with, capable of effecting meaningful change and shaping the future of education in Alberta and beyond.
Increased focus
Informed by our survey results and various outreach efforts, the CTBC has been hard at work crafting the language for the initial proposal to be shared with TEBA before the end of the school year. Before that happens, however, there will be opportunities for members to provide additional feedback. At the Provincial Executive Council’s most recent meeting on April 10 and 11, CTBC shared what we lovingly refer to as the drafty draft of the initial proposal. This document was very fulsome and contained language suggestions to address the members’ priorities highlighted in the survey. More work still needs to be done, not the least of which is paring the proposals down to reflect the expectation of survey respondents that the initial proposal be more focused. With over 80 per cent of respondents supporting a more concentrated initial proposal, with a limited other category, the expectation of members is clear — like a prize fighter, this document needs to “make weight.” But to do that, we need to start with all the possibilities.
It is easy to feel overwhelmed by the magnitude of our challenges. But let me remind you, we are not alone in this struggle. We are part of a larger community of educators, advocates and allies who share our vision for a more equitable education system. Together, we possess the power to effect change, challenge the status quo and build a brighter future for generations to come.
As we prepare to commence central table bargaining, let us do so with a spirit of collaboration, clarity of purpose and steadfast determination to secure what we rightfully deserve. Remember that our voices matter, our actions carry weight and our unity is our greatest asset. Let us use what we learned from the last round as a call to action and a rallying cry to redouble our efforts to advocate for safer, more supportive work environments for all educators. Together, we can and must work toward a future where every teacher can thrive, and every classroom is a sanctuary of learning and respect.
Let us always remember the profound impact our work has on the lives of our students. Each day, we have the privilege of shaping the next generation’s minds, hearts and futures. This responsibility is not taken lightly, and it is a calling that drives us to strive for excellence in everything we do. Our working conditions are their learning conditions. The system only continues to function as it does on the backs of you in this room and your colleagues. Expectations continue to increase, and teachers only have so much to give.
In closing, I express my deepest gratitude to all of you for your tireless dedication, unwavering commitment and steadfast belief in the power of education to transform lives and our collective solidarity to make a difference. Together, we are stronger than any obstacle that stands in our way. Together, we can achieve greatness.
Thank you, and may we embark on this journey with courage, conviction and unwavering determination. ❚
