Concerns are growing over the possibility of a strike by teachers in Alberta after the UCP government accused the teachers union of walking away from the bargaining table.
Contract talks have been taking place this week with the help of a mediator.
The Alberta Teachers’ Association (ATA) has said wages, classroom conditions, overcrowding and resources for students are the main issues.
The government says the latest contract offer includes hiring 3,000 new teachers over three years and boosting teachers pay by 12 per cent over four years.
“We are deeply concerned and disappointed with the decision of the Alberta Teachers’ Association to break off negotiations with so much at stake and so close to a reasonable settlement,” the government said in statement released late Thursday by Alberta’s ministers of education and finance.
The ATA has not yet responded publicly to the government, saying only that teachers do not want a strike but that students and the public education system are worth the fight.
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The union is scheduled to hold a media availability at 10:30 a.m. in Edmonton.
Teachers voted 95 per cent in favour of strike action, if needed, earlier this summer.
If the two sides are unable to come to an agreement, teachers could potentially take strike action as early as next week as students across Alberta are scheduled to return to the classroom.
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