This release was issued under a previous government.
Under the proposed amendment to Bill 8, the Teachers’ Employer Bargaining Association (TEBA), will negotiate with the Alberta Teachers’ Association (ATA) to decide which matters will be bargained locally and provincially.
“Bill 8 was written to ensure school boards would be involved in collective bargaining at the provincial level at all stages, and this amendment ensures that will take place.”
In the initial draft of Bill 8, government was to be the sole party negotiating with the ATA on matters that should be bargained centrally versus locally, during the first round of bargaining, scheduled to begin in 2016.
The proposed amendment would delay the start of the negotiation process by one month to allow the TEBA to become operational with the full involvement of school boards.
“School boards needed a voice in this first round of negotiations, and I am pleased to see the Minister taking steps to ensure this happens. While we would still like to see other changes, we look forward to working with the government in authentic partnership to strengthen the role of school boards in this process.”
“It’s important that school boards, as the employers, have a seat at the bargaining table to ensure that local autonomy and unique circumstances are given consideration. Edmonton Public Schools is pleased to see that feedback from boards on Bill 8 has been taken seriously and we look forward to further discussions moving forward.”
“This amendment shows the Minister is actively listening to school boards. Local matters may be unique in some communities, and this amendment acknowledges the importance of managing those locally.”