The Saskatchewan Government-Trustee Bargaining Committee and the Teachers’ Bargaining Committee (TBC) met on Wednesday and reached a tentative collective bargaining agreement.

The next steps include the Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation taking it to its 13,000 teacher members to vote on the new contract.

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“This tentative agreement balances our respect and appreciation for teachers with the fiscal realities of the province,” said Gord Wyant, the deputy premier and Minister of Education. “The terms of our offer mean that Saskatchewan teachers will have stability for years to come and be paid at five per cent above the Western Canadian average.”

The four-year tentative agreement includes a 2.0 per cent salary increase in years two, three and four.

“COVID-19’s impact on our communities over the last month has been significant on the education sector, our communities and each of us individually and professionally,” said Patrick Maze, the president of the Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation.

“While the proposed settlement does not fully address all items the TBC sought resolution on in this round of bargaining, given the uncertainty caused by the pandemic the TBC felt it was necessary for members to vote on this offer.”

The federation remains committed to solving class size and composition through ongoing advocacy and participation on a new class complexity committee.

“Our withdrawal of these issues from this round of bargaining in no way signals resolution or reduced importance of these issues,” said Maze. “Systematic changes take time and are often made incrementally. I believe we have advanced this issue significantly, and the federation is unwavering in its dedication to address class complexity and ensure an adequately funded public education system in Saskatchewan.”

If ratified, the new agreement would be effective from Sept. 1, 2019, to Aug. 31, 2023.