Alberta teachers demand more hires and smaller classes as strike stretches into its sixth day – The Times of India
Alberta’s teachers’ strike has now entered its sixth day, affecting roughly 740,000 students across 2,500 schools, as reported by The Globe and Mail. On Tuesday, the provincial government and the Alberta Teachers’ Association (ATA) met for the first time since the strike began last week, though neither side shared details of the discussions. At the heart of the dispute are wages and overcrowded classrooms, with teachers pressing for stronger commitments on hiring. Meanwhile, families are managing missed school days with online lessons, while the province rolls out limited financial support to help cover childcare costs.
Negotiations resume amid limited details
Tuesday’s meeting marked the first formal face-to-face talks since the strike began. Finance Minister Nate Horner indicated that the union’s latest proposal is complex, and the government’s bargaining team needed extra time to review it over the long weekend. While the union has signaled a demand for more teacher hires than previously promised, exact figures have not been disclosed.
Background of the strike
The strike stems from ongoing concerns over pay and classroom sizes. According to The Globe and Mail, the government’s last offer, which was rejected by teachers, included a 12 per cent wage increase over four years and 3,000 additional teachers. The ATA has maintained that the offer does not adequately address overcrowded classrooms or the challenges teachers face on the ground.
Government measures for families and students
To support parents during the strike, Alberta has launched an online portal offering $30 per missed school day for children aged 12 and under. Approved payments will be retroactive, beginning October 31. In addition, the province has added a third week of online lessons to help students continue learning while schools remain closed, though the materials have been criticised as disorganised and partially based on US content.
Public opinion and community support
Union locals across Alberta are organising rallies and walks in support of teachers, anticipating that the strike may continue. The Globe and Mail mentions an online poll by the Angus Reid Institute which shows nearly 60 per cent of Albertans sympathise with the striking teachers. Meanwhile 21 per cent support the government. Among past voters of Premier Danielle Smith’s United Conservative Party, support for teachers drops to 28 per cent.With negotiations underway but no resolution in sight, Alberta’s students, families, and teachers face continued disruption, while the province navigates a high-stakes standoff over education funding and classroom conditions.
