More than 20,000 residents of Alberta gathered in the two largest cities of the province on Sunday, showing their support for increased government backing for public education. The rallies took place a day before the planned strike by Alberta’s 51,000 teachers. Failure to reach a last-minute agreement between the teachers’ union and the provincial government would lead to the first provincewide teachers’ strike in Alberta’s history on Monday.
Heather Quinn, president of ATA Local 37 representing Edmonton public school teachers, emphasized the importance of public education in shaping a robust democratic society during a speech at the Legislature’s steps. She urged everyone in Alberta to actively advocate and fight for the future of public education to ensure equitable access for children, families, and future generations in the province.
The Alberta Teachers’ Association (ATA) and the provincial government have been at an impasse for over a month as they negotiate a new collective agreement. Key sticking points include salaries, increasing class sizes, and hiring additional personnel to address classroom complexities, following the expiration of the previous contract in August 2024.
The last teacher strike occurred in 2002 when more than 20,000 teachers across 22 school divisions went on strike until then-Premier Ralph Klein intervened and ordered them back to work. Premier Danielle Smith expressed concerns about the potential negative impact of the impending strike on teachers, parents, and students during a radio program, urging the union to reconsider the job action.
While the government requested the union to return to negotiations over the weekend, formal talks did not materialize as the ATA leadership was unavailable. The aim remains to keep students in classrooms, with readiness to resume negotiations once the ATA leadership is prepared to engage.
Approximately 18,000 participants, including educators, parents, and students, attended a rally at the Alberta Legislature in Edmonton, while another rally in downtown Calgary drew around 3,000 attendees. The gatherings aimed to address shared concerns about class sizes and other educational challenges affecting schools across the province.
Attendees, including teachers like Laurie Dirsa, traveled long distances to participate in the rallies, emphasizing the significance of their presence in influencing decisions made at the legislative level. Many expressed worries about the impact of large class sizes on students’ learning experiences, highlighting the need for improved conditions within the public education system.
Amid preparations for the strike, students like Talon Cook are proactively seeking ways to continue their education independently if teachers proceed with the strike. Concerns about the disruption to education, graduation, and diploma exams were echoed by Grade 12 students and parents, emphasizing the need for a resolution to avoid the potential consequences of a prolonged strike.
