Teachers, province appear closer to agreement

By Lethbridge Herald on September 20, 2025.

Alejandra Pulido-Guzman
Lethbridge Herald

On Thursday the Teachers’ Employer Bargaining Association (TEBA) and the Alberta Teachers’ Association (ATA) met in an Alberta Labour Relations Board (ALRB) resolution conference and shortly after, multiple things took place. 

The Central Table Bargaining Committee chair, Peter MacKay, resigned effective immediately. He shared on his Facebook profile – Petermackayteacher that he had emailed the ATA Provincial Executive Council. 

“Hello all. I’m just writing to let you know that I am resigning as CTBC chair effective immediately. Thank you for the opportunity to serve in this role. I was hoping to see things through to the end of this round of bargaining, but I don’t see a path to doing so at this point,” reads his Facebook post. 

The post received just under 300 responses, over 770 reactions and was shared over 30 times by Thursday night. There is also a thread on Reddit where many have shared their concerns about what this means for negotiations, teachers, students, and families. 

Some comments on various social media platforms show a drop of confidence in the ATA, after not only MacKay’s resignation, but also based on a statement made by Finance Minister Nate Horner about what happened at the ALRB. 

“I am pleased to share that TEBA and the ATA met in a…resolution conference today to discuss the unfair labour practice complaint launched against the ATA, by TEBA,” reads the statement in part. 

It continues by saying that as a result of the resolution conference, the LRB issued a consent order, which is an agreement by the parties to resolve the complaint.

“The consent order clarifies that there are only three outstanding bargaining issues. The timing for implementation of the unified grid, the ATA’s proposal for an annual 1.5 per cent long service allowance for teachers at the maximum step of the grid and, coverage of the COVID-19 vaccination (cost).” 

Horner adds that the consent order makes clear that none of the outstanding items under negotiation are about classroom complexity, class size or support for students.

Horner goes on to say that Alberta’s government has already addressed these concerns though our current offer which would add 3000 more teachers to classrooms. In addition, Budget 2025 invested $1.6 billion to support diverse learning needs and complexity in classrooms. This includes $53 million for classroom complexity grants.

“I trust that this order will assist Alberta’s families and teachers in understanding the true nature of the ongoing negotiations.” 

On Friday afternoon the ATA released a statement regarding the Alberta Labour Relations Board Resolution, saying negotiations have resumed. 

“The Alberta Teachers’ Association (ATA) is back at the bargaining table with the Teachers’ Employer Bargaining Association following the issuance of a consent order by the Alberta Labour Relations Board.” 

When asked about Minister Horner’s comment about none of the outstanding items under negotiation being about classroom complexity, class size or support for students, the ATA responded: “the consent order affirms that both parties are committed to reaching a collective agreement, which addresses the remaining points of unified salary grid implementation, a 1.5 per cent allowance for teachers at the last step of the grid and the coverage of COVID-19 vaccinations.”

The ATA says that part of the consent order granted by the ALRB states that both parties agree that the three terms are the only outstanding issues at the bargaining table. The 1.5 per cent allowance is one of the issues that still needs to be discussed and nothing has been agreed to. 

It also agrees the reason for it is because classroom complexity, class sizes and supports have already been discussed. 

“Classroom complexities, class sizes, and more resources have not been left out of negotiations, they’ve just already been discussed. And yes, the additional 3,000 teachers are a part of that.”

The statement says teachers, students, and their families remain their top priority as they await the Teachers’ Employer Bargaining Association’s response to their latest proposal.

As for MacKay’s resignation from TEBA, the ATA said it has no effect on negotiations. 

“Central Table Bargaining Committee chair Peter MacKay has stepped down. His departure does not affect our path forward in bargaining. We thank him for his service.” 

The deadline for teachers to walk off the job if an agreement is not reached is Oct. 6.