Weeks after the province and teachers' union reached a tentative contract agreement, the province has announced more than half of the province’s school boards have voted to support it.
On Thursday, the province said 33 of Alberta’s 62 school boards have officially come out in favour of the four-year deal, with a few others indicating their support.
Education Minister Jeff Johnson said provincial staff was working with boards that had not yet ratified the agreement.
Back on March 15, Premier Alison Redford and the Alberta Teachers’ Association put rumours to rest, and confirmed they had reached a tentative contract agreement.
The four-year deal includes a wage freeze for teachers up until the final year, when teachers would receive a two percent increase and a lump sum payment.
In addition, the agreement states the government would not change collective bargaining rights for teachers while the contract is in effect, and puts a cap on teacher’s instructional time to 907 hours per year.
Initially, the Alberta School Boards Association (ASBA) was concerned over the contract, as the association was not involved in the final agreement – although it had been at the table for previous contract negotiations.
In the days following an emergency meeting held by ASBA in Edmonton, the city’s two main school boards entered their votes on the contract.
The Catholic School Board voted to support the deal, while Edmonton Public Schools voted to advise the ASBA to not support the contract.
However, the Edmonton Public School Board told CTV News Thursday that it has yet to ratify the contract officially.
The deal must also be ratified by ATA locals.
The deadline to vote on the agreement is May 13.
