Commentary
Albertans were surprised when the Alberta Teachers’ Association (ATA) overwhelmingly rejected what appeared to be a reasonable offer and chose to go on strike. On the table was a 12 percent wage increase along with a commitment to hire 3,000 new teachers. It would have made Alberta’s teachers among the highest-paid in Western Canada. The ATA has been reticent to offer answers when asked what they are seeking, at least as far as wages and salaries are concerned. As the strike is settling in, it appears the union’s concern has more ideological underpinnings than financial ones.
In recent interviews, ATA President Jason Schilling has been focused on pointing out how much public funding goes toward private and charter schools in Alberta. An Alberta teacher is now petitioning to have a referendum to ban public funding of private schools, and ATA members are applauding it….