Talks stall between province and teachers
By Lethbridge Herald on October 16, 2025.
HERALD PHOTO BY JOE MANIO
Santa was among the over 1,000 teachers, students, officials and supporters demonstrated on University Drive outside the University of Lethbridge Wednesday afternoon.Alejandra Pulido-Guzman
Lethbridge Herald
The Alberta Teachers’ Association (ATA) said Wednesday they presented a serious, balanced, and realistic proposal to the Teachers’ Employer Bargaining Association (TEBA) on Tuesday, but Minister of Finance Nate Horner says there’s still a major divide between what the ATA is asking for and what the government is willing to spend.
The provincewide strike, affecting about 740,000 students across 2,500 schools, entered its seventh day Wednesday.
ATA president Jason Schilling said Tuesday the proposal included a phased-in approach to achieving manageable student–teacher ratios, a fair counter to the government’s three percent annual salary increase offer, and new language designed to finally begin addressing the increasing complexity in today’s classrooms.
He said teachers took the painful, yet necessary step of walking out without pay, because they believe Alberta’s students deserve better.
“They are standing up for their profession and every child in this province who needs the attention, support and learning environment that only properly funded public schools can provide,” said Schilling.
Nate Horner, in an interview with Corus Radio host Shaye Ganam, said the union “shot for the moon” with its latest proposal, as it would require almost $2 billion more in spending than the government had set aside for a deal.
“In that sense, I’m sure that their membership would be pleased with this ask,” Horner said Wednesday.
He added the government’s spending cap for a contract is $2.6 billion, which would be spread out over four years.
“I was hoping for something that was a little more reasonable in the realm that we’ve already worked on over the last year,” the minister said.
Horner said the union’s proposal boils down to a bigger salary bump than the government previously offered and action on classroom issues, including caps on class sizes. He added that the province won’t budge on salaries, saying its last offer was “extremely fair” and in line with recent contracts the province has signed with other public sector unions.
“I don’t think there’s much room there.”
He also said it’s likely the government will table back to work legislation later this month when the legislative assembly returns.
“If this is still going when we start session on (Oct. 27), I’m assuming we will look to try to get kids back in school quickly,” said Horner. “I know the parties have left it open to continue to talk, but we’re somewhat running out of time here.”
The ATA said teachers are ready to return to their classrooms with their students immediately. And they know the public is aware of class sizes and complexity issues, and they know the solutions are long overdue.
“The responsibility to end this disruption now lies squarely with the government. The next move is theirs to do what Albertans expect of them—to fund education properly and get students back in class,” said Schilling.
Horner later said in a statement that the government would like to get back to the bargaining table this week.
“The ATA and their members need to be prepared to come to a clear, concrete solution rooted in reality,” he said.
-With files from Canadian Press.
20-19
I expect the province will legislate the teachers back to work. With this strike dragging on this long I wonder if the ATA will reconsider not having a strike pay provision?