Uncertainty is coming about the season back to school for parents this year, since the return for students to classrooms in September could meet a work interruption.
The negotiations are ongoing between the Association of Teachers of Alberta (ATA) and the Association of Negotiation of Teacher Employers. The Teacher Union overwhelmingly voted in favor of a strike In June. In response, the provincial agency has requested a blocking vote.
In a statement to CBC News, the Calgary Education Board said that it is still committed to starting the school year on September 2, but with a formal mediation that continues from August 26 to August 29, and a possible work interruption at any time, many Alberta parents are worried about a possible delay in the return of their children to school.
Almost 95 percent of the teachers in Alberta voted in favor of strikes in June. Now that the new school year, the Union of Alberta teachers and the Association of Negotiation of Teachers Employers will enter a formal mediation from August 26.
Calgary’s mother, Calista Dennis, is excited that her five -year -old son begins the kindergarten next month, but is concerned about the possibility of a strike or blockade.
“That would be a shock,” he said on a strike that impacts his son’s first day. “For my son, I know it would be a bit harmful, a bit disappointing.”
Dennis said that many young students are already worried about starting or returning to school, so any interruption could lead to even more confusion and frustration.
As a mother who stays at home who works remotely, Dennis said he could accommodate his son at home if the beginning of the school year goes back. But she acknowledged that it is not a luxury that most parents have.
“It’s not really like most society runs for many people,” he said. “And even then, children should be in school learning.”
Another father of Calgary, Adriena Mackarenko, expected the labor dispute to have been resolved.
“He is back in the news again, and obviously we are approaching school, and now he is becoming more real,” said Mackarenko, who has a nine -year -old boy in grade 5 this fall, and a seven -year degree 2.
“I expected them to solve something before we had to worry about that … will children come back and what am I going to do with my children in September?”
Mackarenko said the uncertainty about their children who return to school is not ideal.
“Returning to school is challenging enough,” he said. “Trying to find all these alternative solutions on how we are going to handle this if schools are blocked … I don’t need that on my dish too, right? Life is quite difficult.”
She said that interrupting students would have negative consequences for children and their families.
“It is good to have a predictable place to send their children every day,” Mackarenko said. “They are also accustomed to these routines, and children thrive in the routine, so changing it to the middle of September makes life more challenging for families.”
The president of ATE recognizes concerns
Jason Schilling, president of the ATA, said he understands where worried parents come from.
“I completely recognize that I create a level of uncertainty for parents and for other people who are out there,” he said. “But it is only the nature of what negotiation is like at this time.”
The ATA says that it currently has 51,000 members. More than 38,000 teachers participated in the June strike vote, with 94.5 percent vote in favor.
The last time the Ata smelled It was in 2002. Schilling, who was among the teachers who participated in that strike, said the teachers do not necessarily want to take job measures.
“Ideally, we would like a negotiated agreement,” he said. “Teachers do not want to go on strike. They want to be in their classrooms working with their students. There is always a level of emotion to meet their new students in September.”
But Schilling said that teachers face great classes and the lack of resources, in a school year where alberta student financing is among the lowest of all provinces.
“We are choosing where we leave in June, but I’m afraid things are worse,” said Schilling.
In a statement, Alberta’s finance and finance office reiterated the commitment of the province of investing $ 9.9 billion in education, with $ 1.6 billion dedicated to addressing the needs of complex classrooms.
Schilling said that will not cut it.
“In terms of budget for education, we also have most children in the system of what we have had,” said Schilling. “We also have great classrooms with the most complex needs that my colleagues have seen in a very, very long time, and do not have the resources to meet the needs of these children every day.”
After the June strike vote, the ATA has 120 days to take job measures. Its deadline is October 7. If teachers decide to take job measures, the union would need to notify 72 hours before going on strike.
