Possible teachers strike looms, but all as normal for now

By BRENDAN MILLER on August 30, 2025.

SUBSCRIBE NOW

bmiller@medicinehatnews.com

As students get ready to return to class following the Labour Day long weekend, negotiations between the province and Alberta Teachers Association are crumbling, and concerns about teachers taking strike action continue to grow.

“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,” said Finance Minister Nate Horner said during a joint statement issued Friday morning.

In response, ATA president Jason Schilling says that without fair wages and improved conditions for teachers and students, the province risks driving away teachers as it becomes an increasingly more challenging job.

“The government needs to do the right thing and pay teachers fairly for the work they do with the children who will be responsible for Alberta’s future,” said Schilling.

Asked by reporters if a strike would be called, Schilling declined to answer directly, saying instead, “Ideally, we’d like to see a negotiated settlement that doesn’t involve any kind of job action, but we have to see what ongoing negotiations or talks will come about.”

Locally, the Medicine Hat Pubic School Division says it is planning for classes to resume on the first day of school Tuesday, and it’s business as usual for now.

“We are aware of the Alberta Teachers Association’s recent vote in favour of a strike mandate and recognize the uncertainty this may cause for students’ families and staff,” reads a letter by superintendent Tracey Hensel,. “We will provide clear, timely and transparent communication as this process develops.”

Similarly, the Medicine Hat Catholic Board of Education plans to keep schools and facilities open and operating as normal at this time.

In June, teachers voted in the majority for job action, part of ongoing bargain process that does not mean a strike is imminent.

According to the association, teacher pay has fallen far behind inflation and cost of living, with a wage increase of just 5.75 per cent over the past 10 years.

“Teachers are the pillars of our public education system,” Schilling said. It’s time for the government to step up with a fair deal for teachers, because a fair deal for teachers is a good deal for kids.”

The province’s most recent offer included a commitment to 1,000 new teachers per year, over the next three years.

However, during Friday’s news conference, Horner said the province is facing a ballooning deficit of $6.5 billion, $1.3 billion more than initially projected.

He says public collective agreements must be financially sustainable and strike a balance between fair wages and easing the pressures on public coffers.

“Three thousand more teachers would certainly have a significant impact in alleviating classroom pressures and improving an education landscape for teachers and students,” said Horner.

Wednesday’s rejected offer included a 12 per cent salary increase over four years.

Schilling says teachers are not just seeking fair compensation, they’re also seeking alignment between government words and actions.

“If the government believes teachers are vital, as the premier recently stated, it’s time to reflect that in all aspects of teachers’ jobs,” reads a press release. “More still needs to be done to attract and retain teachers to fill these added positions.”

Schilling also said the province is putting more work on teachers’ plates without proper resources.

He cited the need to comply with new provincial rules like book restrictions, parental consent requirements and special approvals for sexual education materials.

The ATA must provide a minimum of 72 hours notice to strike and has 120 days to proceed with strike action.