School boards expect government to fund 5.99 per cent wage increase – as promised by Premier Stelmach
Release date: February 3, 2010
Arbitrator Andy Sims ruled February 2 that Alberta teachers are owed a 5.99 per cent wage increase for the 2009-2010 school year.
Sims’ decision settles an argument between the provincial government and the Alberta Teachers’ Association about how much teachers’ salaries should have increased last year. The government argued it was 4.82 per cent – teachers said they were owed 5.99 per cent. It will cost an extra $23 million to make up the difference.
ASBA President Heather Welwood today called on Premier Stelmach and the provincial government to write the $23 million cheque to make up the difference as promised.
“The Premier promised to backstop the five-year deal the government made with the ATA and I quote from his November 23, 2007 letter to Frank Bruseker (then president of the ATA):
“...I pledge to seek the Legislative Assembly’s support for the necessary funding to enable the Memorandum of Agreement’s full execution and provide a five-year stable learning environment for teachers, students, school boards and Albertans.” Read the Premier’s letter (PDF–780K).
“Minister of Education Hancock says he will be asking Treasury Board for this money. We know the premier will support this request. School boards look forward to getting this funding so we can honour our contractual agreements with our teachers for the term of this five–year deal.”
For more information:
Heather Welwood, ASBA President at 1.780.812.1895 or Suzanne Lundrigan, Director Communications at 1.780.451.7122.
The Alberta School Boards Association serves and represents all public, separate and francophone school boards in Alberta.
