‘They’re two different jobs’: Education minister defends MLA raises amid teachers’ strikes, sanctions

‘They’re two different jobs’: Education minister defends MLA raises amid teachers’ strikes, sanctions

Released Feb 06, 2024Last upgraded 22 hours ago3 minute checked out

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Minister of Education Jeremy Cockrill responds to concerns from journalism on the most recent STF interview on Monday, February 5, 2024 in Regina. Picture by KAYLE NEIS /Regina Leader-Post

Asked if a 12 percent raise over the next 4 years for MLAs is reasonable when compared to the 7 percent being provided to instructors, Saskatchewan’s education minister would not address straight.

“I imply, they’re 2 various tasks,” Jeremy Cockrill informed media Monday. “Different tasks get compensated in a different way.”

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Cockrill and every Saskatchewan MLA will get a 12 percent raise over the next 4 years, according to forecasted Consumer Price Index (CPI) boost.

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7 percent over 3 years are the numbers last used to instructors in the present round of talks with the Government Bargaining Trustee Committee (GTBC), compared to 8 percent over 4 years plus a CPI change looked for by the Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation (STF).

While both sides have actually stated they are open to negotiating their particular income asks and provides, “We can not continue to deal with ourselves,” STF president Samantha Becotte stated throughout a virtual press conference Monday.

To get instructors back to the table she stated the GTBC requires to have a brand-new required, a required that consists of things like class intricacy and structure.

Saskatchewan Teachers' Federation president Samantha Becotte
Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation president Samantha Becotte shares the outcomes of the instructors vote on task sanctions at Delta Hotels by Marriott downtown Saskatoon. Picture taken in Saskatoon, Sask. on Friday, October 27, 2023. Image by Michelle Berg /Saskatoon StarPhoenix

Cockrill stated the opening deal from the STF was unfair to Saskatchewan taxpayers and while the GTBC has actually not been provided a brand-new required, there are “a number of products that, you understand, we’re having conversations internally on.”

“Any restored required would need both sides to be at the bargaining table,” he included.

With the provincial budget plan impending, Cockrill stated there is an intent to boost education financing, and currently the ministry has actually revealed $6.1 million for a behavioural events pilot, and the Teachers’ Innovation and Support Fund which provides $2.5 million grants to instructors.

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One-time financing provided to attend to class problems suggests school departments “can just work with those people for one year,” stated Becotte, and what the union desires is long-lasting dedications to attend to the matter.

Continuous turning strikes and sanctions continue to affect instructors, moms and dads and trainees throughout Saskatchewan in hopes of getting the federal government back to the table on the matters the STF states are of crucial significance.

On Monday, after the union revealed a one-day withdrawal of noon-hour guidance throughout the province, Regina Public Schools (RPS) revealed it would be cutting the day short, pointing out security issues over having trainees in the structure over lunch.

“The school day is being reduced and trainees will be dismissed at 12 Noon in primary schools and 1 p.m. in high schools,” stated a letter sent out to households by the school department.

For high school trainees, their day will be compressed to accommodate all of their classes in the early morning. End-of-day transport for primary trainees will be moved to begin at twelve noon.

“Note that all excursion, band, CRP and bus charters are cancelled.”

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Regina Catholic School Division (RCSD) likewise sent out a notification out to moms and dads notifying them that “end times for in-person knowing will alter for most of trainees.”

Both Regina school departments stated operations need to be back to typical by Feb. 9.

In Swift Current, the Chinook School Division encouraged moms and dads that each school might be affected in a different way, depending upon the accessibility of managers.

“School strategies might vary from a typical school day schedule to an adjusted school day schedule with earlier termination,” checked out the declaration.

In Estevan, South East Cornerstone stated guidance over the twelve noon hour will be supplied by “non-teaching personnel and parent/community members,” however is still asking, when possible, for kids to head home at lunch to assist those actioning in.

In closing the virtual press conference Monday, Becotte stated she understands the task action taken by the union effects households and trainees, however stated she feels the objection of the GTBC to deal on class structure and intricacy is “rude to trainees and instructors and it reveals their absence of dedication to attend to these problems in the long term.”

“It does not need to be in this manner,” she stated. “Teachers do not wish to be taking these actions.”

In addition to the withdrawal of noon-hour guidance Thursday, a brand-new round of turning strikes will happen Wednesday including Creighton School Division, Northern Lights School Division, Prairie Spirit School Division, Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools and Saskatoon Public Schools.

alsalloum@postmedia.com

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