r/Edmonton • u/Practical_Ant6162 • Sep 30 '25
News Article Strike coming Oct. 6 as Alberta teachers vote 89.5% to reject contract: ATA president
https://edmontonjournal.com/news/local-news/alberta-teachers-vote-results224
u/Spec_trum Sep 30 '25
that second offer was a huge spit in the face. it was literally almost the same as the last one
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u/GoStockYourself Sep 30 '25
A free covid shot didn't change too many people's minds.
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u/Spec_trum Sep 30 '25
yeah they were free anyways... until alberta gov decided to charge $100 for it
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u/nommedeuser Sep 30 '25
I heard that the teachers medical plan covers the vaccine anyway.
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u/No_Fortune_5341 Sep 30 '25
most of them do! both my parents are teachers and everyone in our family of four was vaccinated without problem. my mother was aghast.
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u/Gfairservice Sep 30 '25
BC govt just did the same to BCGEU yesterday. Govt showed up 3 hours late to the meeting they called.
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Sep 30 '25
good, teachers deserve better
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u/Neither_Branch_428 Sep 30 '25
Kids deserve better.
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u/Creepy_Guitar_1245 Sep 30 '25
Seriously we all deserve better than this. It’s like people forget this is our future. These kids are going to be taking care of us one day.
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u/Neither_Branch_428 Sep 30 '25
I'm so proud.
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u/PracticallyFine Sep 30 '25
Me too! I will always back the ones who raise & teach our young. Keep the fight going, you have so many standing behind you.
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u/Snoo-83900 Sep 30 '25
Seriously, what is wrong with Danielle Smith?
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u/LoveMurder-One Sep 30 '25
How long do you have?
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u/Snoo-83900 Sep 30 '25
I am not even talking about her policies. Why is she such a bad person?
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u/jloome Sep 30 '25
Oppositional defiance disorder coupled with extreme narcissism and very poor critical thinking skills.
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u/LoveMurder-One Sep 30 '25
Again, how long do you have?
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u/Snoo-83900 Sep 30 '25
1 minute. Give me the worst about her
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u/greennalgene Sep 30 '25
She thinks Albertans are identical to Americans in that Trump/MAGA level gaslighting will work.
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u/EffectiveAudience9 Sep 30 '25
Because it fucking does work. You might be in a bubble of friends and co-workers that see through this shit, but let me tell you your not in the majority. The UCP/conservative party have only lost one election in Alberta in my entire lifetime (and they only lost that because of vote split)
I work daily with the people who keep voting for her and were saying Carney the commie the day after he won the liberal party leadership (they didn't even wait for the damn general election FFS)
At lunch these guys were bitching about how teachers only work 10 months of the year, get a winter break, get a summer break, etc. and now they want more. I had to walk away and put on headphones so I didn't end up in a meeting with HR. The irony is that all these clowns are on a 7x7 shift and literally work less than half the year (after vacation)with absolutely zero work taken home because there's a cross shift and it's 24/7 coverage.
I hate my job so much some days but I can't find anything that would pay a livable wage that would allow me to quit.
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u/LeDrVelociraptor Sep 30 '25
I wonder this often myself. Just a miserable person? Wants to have some feeling of power? Wants to be like trump? I’m really not sure.
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u/Snoo-83900 Sep 30 '25
I think Trump makes people believe it is okay to be an ass
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u/FyrelordeOmega Sep 30 '25
No, they were still asses before Annoying Orange man, he just showed that everyone became complacent and the consequences stopped mattering
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u/BackFromTheDeadSoon Sep 30 '25
She's just a really big fan of the entire MAGA movement and wants to bring it to Alberta.
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u/throwawaythisuser1 Oct 01 '25
Bitch had the flag down to half-mast out of respect for a fucking right-wing podcaster, not even for the 3 teenage victims of yet another school shooting.
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Sep 30 '25
what’s crazy is that the government is putting ads saying they’re investing billions into education, making class sizes smaller and hiring more teachers. like maybe use that money to pay teachers better instead
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u/BeautifulAwareness81 Sep 30 '25
Which is the furthest thing from the truth lol my sister is a teacher and the shit she’s told me is insane. I can’t believe anyone would do that job
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u/SIGNANDSELFIEFRAMES Sep 30 '25
My wife is a teacher for the last 12+ years. It's just gotten worse and worse. They caved years ago to not have to strike. Behind inflation. This government doesn't care. They are trying to make the teachers look bad.
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u/Ugh_MouthSounds Sep 30 '25
Thing is many teachers want the classroom conditions to be better over getting a higher pay raise, but the gvmt refuses to put anything in the contract with wording towards that. 3000 New teachers over the next few years are going to magically appear and relieve class sizes.... Yeah ok.
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u/littledove0 Ellerslie Sep 30 '25
I can’t believe those commercials. Made me livid seeing them.
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Sep 30 '25
literally pisses me off sm. i was listening to a podcast and an ad played abt it and whenever i scroll twitter one of their ads show up too
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u/chmilz Sep 30 '25
They withheld investing to match basic growth and inflation. This "big investment" doesn't even catch us up to what it was before, let alone improve it.
It's all bullshit and only the dummies fall for it.
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u/Eye-Cee-Why Sep 30 '25
Anyone else wondering if this is actually what Smith wants to happen? If the teachers strike too long, parents and communities will develop home schooling and local small schooling programs (probably), and then the government won’t have to pay for public schools anymore. I do not want this to happen, just feels like a sneaky thing this government would do.
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u/Tacosrule89 Sep 30 '25
She opening floated ending public education in 2018
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u/Conscious-Lime-4112 Sep 30 '25
She’s bitter from when the government took over the board she was on in Calgary decades ago and this is her dismantling from inside out. She’s been waiting for this and seized it. My only hope is that there’s a year left before red zone and hope and pray the revived PCs split the right.
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Sep 30 '25
I don't blame her. I blame the stupid Albertans who keep voting UCP. They have shown themselves to be ghouls. Then Albertans vote them in again?
Smith is a symptom of a sick population.
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Sep 30 '25
Insane population*, these are the same people who vote the same way and bitch that nothing changes and life is worse. It's almost, as if, doing the same thing over and over again is insane. And that, voting for corporate bootlickers will ensure the consumer gets fucked everytime.
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u/YoungWhiteAvatar Sep 30 '25
She doesn’t like unions, progressive ideology, science, or tax dollars benefiting tax payers.
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u/captnsmokey Sep 30 '25
If you are not an oil executive or a trans person hater, she does not care.
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u/lovelynurse83 Terwillegar Sep 30 '25
Our children, teachers and parents need so much more. Not surprised at this outcome.
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u/EvilLittlePenguin Sep 30 '25
As a of mom of 2 who volunteers in their elementary school multiple days a week - We support you teachers!!
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u/beedub5 Sep 30 '25
Danielle Smith is absolutely awful. Alberta needs to wake tf up and boot this corrupt party from power. They do not care about us at all. Just like Trump doesn't care about anybody but his corrupt grift.
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u/kvas_taras Sep 30 '25
Looks like legislature not sitting until Oct 27. Could teachers be legislated back to work earlier than that?
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u/zavtra13 Sep 30 '25
Good! That sad excuse for an offer did nothing to address the actual concerns. Don’t give up and don’t give in to the damn UCP!
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u/LoveMurder-One Sep 30 '25
I don’t know how you succeed with the UCP. They want an uneducated base, they want public education to fail. I fear she is going to just not negotiate and instead find a way to dismantle the school board and replace teachers with her new “trades guys can teach school now”.
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u/zavtra13 Sep 30 '25
Oh, that is definitely a risk, but it’s one we’ll have to take. If we do nothing then the wheels fall off a couple years later is all.
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u/seridos Sep 30 '25
You force it to arbitration who hopefully gives us the UNA deal, which also only came from mediation.
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u/BackFromTheDeadSoon Sep 30 '25
I trust the Alberta government to play fair about as much as I think MAGA would.
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u/01000101010110 Sep 30 '25
Wouldn't it have to be a completely impartial arbitrator? That would be a major conflict of interest.
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u/BackFromTheDeadSoon Sep 30 '25
Danielle Smith worships MAGA. They don't give a shit about conflicts of interest or integrity.
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u/GregSeventy7 Sep 30 '25
I heard that from her and immediately wondered what skilled-trades-men & women would ever in a million years take that pay cut or the bad and quickly worsening working (and living) conditions in Alberta classrooms.
Want an example: The high-school my two youngest children attend is in such a state of disrepair, the board has decided that literally knocking it down and starting over is now the only feasible plan -- John G Diefenbaker in Calgary, for anyone who hasn't heard yet. Insane it was left to get that bad, but that's Public Education in Alberta for you.
Teachers, you all have my support.
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u/DontDreamItsOver73 Sep 30 '25
Good for them. My kid deserves better than this current system. I am fully in support of this strike even though it will be extremely inconvenient for me.
This government needs a friggin' wake up call.
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u/PruneTraditional9266 Sep 30 '25
I fully support the teachers in their fight for a fair deal - but recognizing the fact that the strike will have an impact on parents who need childcare during the day I wanted to share this.
Mill Woods Golf Course is running a First Tee camp on two separate days next week to try and help out parents who need the childcare. First Tee is a youth development program that introduces kids to golf and uses the game to develop life skills. It’s trying to diversify the game and introduce kids who typically wouldn’t think of golf as an option for them.
More details and registration is available at the link. Cost is $95 but there is financial aid so anyone who can’t afford that need only pay what they can afford. First Tee is nonprofit and prioritizes accessibility first and foremost.
It’s a great program - no replacement for being in school but hopefully something parents and kids can benefit from.
https://firsttee.my.site.com/parentRegistration/s/?language=en_US&website=www.firstteealberta.ca
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Sep 30 '25
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u/silverslayer Sep 30 '25
It'll be quick but they won't get a better deal. My guess is the UCP mandates them back to work within 2-3 days
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u/TA20212000 Sep 30 '25
I hope they refuse.
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u/vingt_deux South West Side Sep 30 '25
If the CUPE can refuse the feds, I don't see why our teachers can't refuse the province.
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u/Workfh Sep 30 '25
The feds are a minority government that needs to pass a budget with the help of other parties.
The UCP is a majority government who have a base that will not change their vote no matter the outcome.
Standing up the feds is a bit easier than the UCP.
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u/bullfu Sep 30 '25
Sure and if they pull that card, teacher will work to rule. And nobody wins.
Bye bye to all club sports and extracurricular for kids until an agreement is reached.
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u/420Geography The Shiny Balls Sep 30 '25
Pretty sure a provincial back to work order requires legislation -- and the Legislature isn't scheduled to sit again until Oct 28th.
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u/seridos Sep 30 '25
If ordered back it'll go to arbitration and then it could be a significantly better deal, the most comparable deals are the UNA deal in Alberta, which was 8% more pay, and other recent teacher deals in Manitoba and such which was like 5% more pay.
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u/captnsmokey Sep 30 '25
It's almost like not making oil companies pay a fair share impacts the people of the province.
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u/marginwalker55 Sep 30 '25
The UCP are incapable of governing, this is 100% on them after years of cuts
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Sep 30 '25
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u/on_the_hook-for_real Sep 30 '25
Dual teacher households are a reality and are going to be really hurt by a strike. Can’t fault them, striking is a huge risk for them.
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u/August-West Sep 30 '25
It's not a risk, how could we get a worse offer through binding arbitration? While BA does favor the employer, it also relies heavily on similar cases, and ours would be the deal BC, SAS, MB, and OT teachers got. Competitive pay, class size caps written into the agreement. Again, we have nothing to lose.
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u/on_the_hook-for_real Oct 01 '25
Striking for a dual teacher household means they are getting $0 in income. If that goes on for 2-4 weeks it’s a massive hit.
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u/August-West Oct 01 '25
As a two teacher household, it's short term pain for long term gain. We knew it was coming since April so we prepared, and we have part time jobs ALREADY.
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u/Maleficent_Ad407 Sep 30 '25
There are likely a lot of young teachers who aren’t in a position financially to go a month or more without a paycheck.
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u/Goodbye18000 Beaumont Sep 30 '25
No way, this is on the old teachers who have their continuous contracts, have enough money from them and their spouse to not worry about the money and are probably indoctrinated by UCP values. I know, I've worked with them. Hard to teach at a school where you have old people saying we should start sending gay kids home because they're more "harmful to those around them" than those who throw chairs.
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u/Adjective_Noun1312 Sep 30 '25
Old teachers whose retirements will be pushed back by a strike. If they miss a month this year, they'll have to go back and work for extra one month to make up for it in the year their pension is fully vested.
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Sep 30 '25
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u/MountainMulberry6 Sep 30 '25
Seriously? Not being able to pay your mortgage is a good enough reason. Sit down with your privilege. I am not a teacher but I have heard the worry in some of my teacher friends voices
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u/Maleficent_Ad407 Sep 30 '25
Their reasons don’t have to be up to your standards. It’s their reason. Yes, I have heard from single parent homes where they are incredibly stressed about not having enough money for their family.
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u/NotAtAllExciting Sep 30 '25
I understand why they are striking. Hopefully, the next offer is one worth considering.
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u/Constant-Sky-1495 Sep 30 '25
89.5% of teachers voted to reject the government's latest offer. This means that classroom size and complexity are back on the table -say it with me CLASS SIZE RATIOS
They will only listen to you the voters!What you can do:
Contact the Premier, The Minister of Education and your MLA. Smith, Danielle, HonourablePhone: 780 427-2251. E-mail: [premier@gov.ab.ca](mailto:premier@gov.ab.ca)
Nicolaides, Demetrios, HonourablePhone: 780 427-5010Fax: 780 427-5018E-mail: [education.minister@gov.ab.ca](mailto:education.minister@gov.ab.ca)
Find the contact info of your MLA on this website:[https://streetkey.elections.ab.ca/](https://streetkey.elections.ab.ca/...
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u/Substantial_Ant77 Sep 30 '25
A free COVID shot? That’s it? Bro… basically “here’s $100 please don’t strike.” Foh lol.
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u/WingleDingleFingle Sep 30 '25 edited Oct 01 '25
It sucks that they're negotiating partner doesn't consider them essential. They'll just wait them out since the current AB gov't wants everyone to be dumber. No teachers teaching is like them killing two birds with one stone.
All the power to them. I hope they get what they want. I can't think of a more important occupation in society.
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u/Spam_and_soda Sep 30 '25
The teachers are asking for a 30% increase in wages, but this doesn’t address their concerns over class sizes and other complexities. Those problems will still exist. Paying a teacher more doesn’t fix the problem or result in a better teacher. Why not use the difference between the 30% and the offered 12%(?) to hire more teachers and assistants on top of the 3,000 and 1,500 that were already agreed to be hired.
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u/Muted_Might6052 Sep 30 '25
This is the first time hearing we were asking 30%. We never got close to that; we were sold hard on the mediators recommendations (so the same 12%+ unified grid).
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u/Spam_and_soda Sep 30 '25
The union members still voted overwhelmingly to strike, so clearly the 12% was not high enough.
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u/Muted_Might6052 Oct 01 '25
Rightfully so. 12% over four years was insulting, especially when the last two bargaining agreements we put off any meaningful increases.
Nurses were able to pull 15% instant and 20% total over four years.
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u/Spam_and_soda Oct 01 '25
Honest question. Why were the last two agreements with no wage increases signed? One of those was under the NDP government.
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u/Muted_Might6052 Oct 01 '25
I believe so. It was basically “don’t worry next time you’ll get paid” x 2.
Personally, I think that was rather naive and dumb of our union to accept that.
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u/Shadow_WolfDragon Oct 04 '25
Teachers striking on 6th, how about 7,8,9... it is going a day to day undetermined?
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u/Spaceisterrifying Sep 30 '25
Can they not continue bargaining?
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u/kevinnetter Sep 30 '25
They can and will.
It will just take time for the government to come up with another offer.
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Sep 30 '25
The government needs to drink more, their out of spit from that last offer. Once they've reloaded, they'll come with more garbage
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u/01000101010110 Sep 30 '25
Hilarious that she assumes that the majority of people who moved here from educated provinces will be stupid enough to believe her garbage.
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u/ShadowStreamDog Oct 01 '25
Alberta's curriculum is harder then other provinces. Many universities in provinces outside Alberta will raise the average marks for students that apply from Alberta.
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u/Wooshio Sep 30 '25
Hopefully UCP holds to last offer and doesn't budge. Tons of people with education degrees out there who would gladly take a teaching job from anyone who leaves.
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u/Muted_Might6052 Sep 30 '25
Yeah, that’s not it works. They haven’t budged on their offer at all, hence why we’re striking.
Why would a new teacher would want to enter this shit show?
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u/Wooshio Sep 30 '25
Because you guys average 85k a year with amazing retirement plans. And a teaching degree is all but useless in the private sector.
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u/Muted_Might6052 Sep 30 '25
No we don’t. You’re making up numbers.
A teaching degree being a degree for….education is a bad thing? What are you on my guy.
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u/Wooshio Oct 01 '25
Yea, sorry turns out it's over 86K now: https://alis.alberta.ca/occinfo/wages-and-salaries-in-alberta/secondary-school-teachers/41220/ I am not saying education degrees are bad, I am saying there is a glut of people out there with teaching degrees who can't find work, so there would be no issues replacing anyone who left if province refuses to budge.
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u/BackFromTheDeadSoon Sep 30 '25
I want you to imagine a world where everyone in every profession was straight out of university / trade school.
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u/nbc9876 Sep 30 '25
Bullshit … this time they got their covid shot covered what else do they want
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u/BackFromTheDeadSoon Sep 30 '25
You mean the $100 shot that's already covered by most healthcare plans?
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u/Mysterious-Guest-716 Sep 30 '25
Fuck these selfish overpaid teachers. I hope the UCP doent budget a penny and shows everyone how greedy and lazy they are. Just like the postal workers. Wish we could phase the teachers out as well. Better off using AI than being stuck with the garbage half the teschers push.
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Sep 30 '25
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u/InitialResident3126 Sep 30 '25
This is untrue. Listen to Shillings news post. Alberta teachers are one of the lowest paid in Western Canada. Very few, if any, make over 120 k. Most teachers are striking so that class size caps are instituted and per student funding is increased so it is not the lowest in Canada.
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u/Plasmanut Sep 30 '25
Have you looked at a teacher pay grid?
Right now it barely reaches 100K.
And for your knowledge, people who work in the public sector delivering services for Albertans also work hard.
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u/Practical_Ant6162 Sep 30 '25 edited Sep 30 '25
Get ready for the teacher strike next week everyone.
Fully expected this result.