Alberta Teachers' Association Labour Action
Peace Wapiti Public School Division (PWPSD) would like to provide the following information for stakeholders regarding the ongoing provincial collective bargaining process between the Alberta Teachers' Association (ATA) and the Alberta Government via the Teachers' Employer Bargaining Association (TEBA).
In June 2025, the ATA announced the results of a province-wide strike vote. Of the teachers who participated, 94.5% (36,862 teachers) voted in favour of authorizing strike action. This does not mean that a strike is imminent, but it does give the ATA the legal authority to initiate strike action at any point within 120 days, provided 72-hours' notice is given.
Bargaining Process
Bargaining between TEBA and the ATA occurs at the provincial level. This means that items like teacher salaries are set through provincial collective agreement, not through individual school boards.
Timeline
August 2024: The collective agreement between the ATA and TEBA expired.
January 2025: Negotiations between the ATA and TEBA went to mediation.
Late March 2025: A mediator issued a set of recommended settlement terms.
May 2-5, 2025: The ATA conducted a vote among its members on the mediator's recommendations.
May 6, 2025: The ATA announced that its members (62% of nearly 36,000 voters) rejected the mediator's recommendations. This initiated a 14-day cooling-off period.
May 30, 2025: Strike Authorization Vote took place.
June 5-8, 2025: The ATA held a formal strike vote, following the rejection of the mediator's recommendations. 94.5% (36,862 teachers) voted in favour of authorizing strike action. Strike can happen within 120 days with 72-hours' notice. (October 11, 2025 with notice coming on October 8).
Throughout June and August 2025: The Central Table Bargaining Committee (CTBC) held meetings with TEBA to continue negotiations. A number of bargaining sessions between ATA and TEBA have occurred.
August 28, 2025: President of Treasury Board and Minister of Finance Nate Horner and Minister of Education and Childcare Demetrios Nicolaides issued a joint statement on negotiations with the ATA.
August 28, 2025: The ATA provided a bargaining update.
August 29, 2025: President of Treasury Board and Minister of Finance Nate Horner and Minister of Education and Childcare Demetrios Nicolaides provided an update on bargaining negotiations with the Alberta Teachers' Association. Watch the press conference on YouTube.
August 29, 2025: ATA President Jason Schilling held a press conference, and provided a bargaining update to the public.
September 10, 2025: ATA President Jason Schilling held a press conference annoucing that, if an agreement is not reached, the ATA will begin a labour action (strike) on Monday, October 6. You can watch the press conference on YouTube, or read the ATA's news release here.
While we are hopeful that a settlement will be reached before October 6, families should be prepared to make childcare arrangements should a labour action occur.
September 15, 2025: President of Treasury Board and Minister of Finance Nate Horner issued a statement about the ongoing negotiations with TEBA and the ATA.
September 15, 2025: The ATA shared a response to TEBA's bad faith bargaining complaint.
September 16, 2025: ATA President Jason Schilling addressed TEBA's complaint to the Alberta Labour Relations Board.
September 18, 2025: President of Treasury Board and Minister of Finance Nate Horner issued an update on the ongoing negotiations with TEBA and the ATA. He stated that both sides met in an Alberta Labour Relations Board (LRB) resolution conference to discuss the unfair labour practice complaint launched against the ATA, by TEBA. Click here to read the full update.
September 24, 2025: President of Treasury Board and Minister of Finance Nate Horner issued a statement that TEBA and the ATA have agreed to form a tentative agreement based on shared priorities and members will vote on the tentative agreement in the coming days.
Peace Wapiti Public School Division deeply values the strong working relationship we share with ATA Local No 6. We are grateful for the ongoing professionalism, dedication, and care our teachers demonstrate each and every day in service to our students.
Should any labour action take place, PWPSD will follow guidance from the Government of Alberta and communicate any operational impacts. We will continue to provide updates as new information becomes available.
We understand that the uncertainty of labour action can be concerning. PWPSD remains committed to open and transparent communication throughout this process. We will continue to share timely updates via our website and social media platforms.
If you have questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to reach out. We thank you for your continued support and partnership.
FAQs
What does a labour action mean for my family?
During a labour action, teachers are not permitted to provide any educational services and schools will be closed to students for the entire duration of the labour action.
Will a labour action happen for sure?
No, negotiations may continue, and an agreement may be reached at any time. For now, it is business as usual in all PWPSD schools.
What happens when the labour action ends?
Once an agreement between the ATA and TEBA has been reached, PWPSD will receive notification from the Government of Alberta. We will update our website, and communicate directly to families. Classes will resume immediately following a negotiated settlement.
Please know that the length of any labour action is currently unknown, so we encourage you to continue to monitor your email and the PWPSD website for updates.
If I have other questions, where can I find answers?
While we strive to share updates as quickly as possible, the negotiations do not involve PWPSD. We will continue to share all available information on our website, and additional questions may be directed to [email protected].
What is the Alberta Teachers' Association?
Established in 1918 as the Alberta Teachers' Alliance, the ATA was created with the goal of raising the standard of professional education and improving working conditions. In 1935, the Teaching Profession Act recognized teaching as a profession and appointed the Alberta Teachers' Association as its offical voice and governing body.
Today, more than 51,000 full- and part-time teachers form the core of the ATA's active membership. These members are given access to numerous benefits and services, such as professional development, publications, and programs that enhance teachers practice while representing their members and their views on public education. Local No 6 comprises ATA members employed by PWPSD, including teachers, substitute teachers, assistant principals and principals.