Alberta Teachers reach tentative agreement with province

The government of Alberta has reached a tentative contract with the Alberta Teachers Association, which if ratified would avert an October 6th strike.

In a statement released Wednesday morning, Finance Minister Nate Horner said the two sides reached the tentative deal last Friday. Horner reiterated the government’s promised 10-billion dollar investment in education including a plan to hire 3,000 teachers to reduce class sizes and support student learning.

Fifty-one thousand public, Catholic and francophone schoolteachers belonging to the ATA will vote on the deal beginning this Saturday with the vote concluding on Monday evening.

The President of the Alberta Teachers’ Association issued a brief statement. Jason Schilling says “Teachers do not take the decision before them lightly. They recognize what is on the line with this vote and remain committed to an outcome that prioritizes the future of our public education system.”

Parents in Lethbridge have shown optimism from the news of the agreement. BCN was able to speak to a number of parents who gave a general consensus, that if it’s a good deal for the teachers, it’s a good deal for them.