2018 binding arbitration took more than eight months: STF report

The last time binding arbitration was used to resolve a dispute between the government and teachers was in 2018 after 13 days of failed negotiations.

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After nearly a year of failed negotiations, the Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation (STF) has accepted the province’s offer to go to binding arbitration.

But just how long it will take to reach a conclusion remains unclear.

The last time binding arbitration was used to resolve a dispute between the government and teachers was in 2018, related to negotiations for a collective bargaining agreement that began in 2017.

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Following 13 days of talks late that year, the STF applied for binding arbitration on Jan. 24, 2018, according to a summary posted on the STF’s website that breaks down the history of teachers’ collective bargaining up until 2020.

Arbitration hearings took place from July 24 to July 27 of 2018. A decision was received on Sept. 18 and a collective agreement was officially signed on Oct. 3, representing a nearly nine-month process.

At the time, teachers sought a one-per-cent salary increase that was in line with the consumer price index and items that addressed issues outside of wages like teachers’ duties and working hours. The province, on the other hand, angled to make wage cuts to the tune of 3.67 per cent.

“Concerns around classroom complexity and the reduction of supports prompted teachers to seek contract language around managing class size and class composition in the 2017-2019 round of negotiations,” said the report.

Teachers were awarded a new two-year contract by the arbitrator, which included the salary increase, but a proposal that would have addressed class size and composition issues was rejected.

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Last week, the STF agreed to binding arbitration on the issues of wages and “class complexity-accountability framework,” which put an end to job sanctions. The federation had called for binding arbitration in March, but was rejected by the province.

The process will send the issues at hand to a neutral third-party who will consider submissions from both sides and provide a ruling.

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The decision came after five days of consultation, an online town hall attended by more than 5,700 members and meetings with internal advisory groups, STF president Samantha Becotte told media last week.

Next steps in the process involve appointing a mutually agreed upon arbitrator. Once an arbitrator has been selected, a hearing will be held, allowing both sides to present arguments and evidence that supports their position. The STF says this can take a few days, with the possibility of a final decision taking several months.

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A statement from the Ministry of Education says the government-trustee bargaining committee and the STF will choose their representatives for the arbitration panel and agree upon an arbitrator to serve as the chairperson.

“The commencement of arbitration proceedings and the timing of an arbitrator’s decision will be dependent on the availability of arbitrators,” said the statement provided Tuesday.

Premier Scott Moe expressed his satisfaction with the move to binding arbitration during the Premier’s Breakfast at Canada’s Farm Show on Tuesday morning.

moe
Premier Scott Moe answers questions from the press after his State of Agriculture speech at Canada’s Farm Show inside the Viterra International Trade Centre on Tuesday, June 18, 2024 in Regina. Photo by KAYLE NEIS /Regina Leader-Post

“This does provide a certain degree of certainty at this point in time for families, students and teachers across the province,” said Moe, adding that the two sides got “very close” throughout negotiations and binding arbitration will bring the few remaining “minor differences to a close.”

“I’m happy to be moving forward at this stage.”

According to the Canadian Arbitration Association, an arbitrator’s fees can range from $250 to $800 per hour, with both parties splitting the bill.

— with files from Alec Salloum and Larissa Kurz

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