Dear Colleagues . . .

The Government of Alberta's recently announced budget has serious implications for the teaching profession in our province. It is essential that all teachers have a clear understanding of the government's actions, the issues and options facing us, and the need for action by teachers and their professional association.

There is no question that the government's actions have raised our expectations. Not only were salaries of doctors and nurses raised by about 22 percent over two years, but their comprehensive settlements also addressed the issues of working conditions as well as recruitment and retention in order to deal with the growing shortage of healthcare professionals. On April 5, 2001, Premier Klein commented on how the government had responded to the legitimate concerns of doctors and nurses, rewarded doctors and nurses for their sacrifices, and then stated, "The same is true on the education side. Alberta's teachers were part of the solution a few years ago, and we'll make sure that they are fairly compensated and given as good a work environment as possible so that they know how much they are appreciated."

The hopes raised by these actions and statements were completely dashed with the release of the budget on April 24, 2001. Instead of a comprehensive approach to longstanding concerns about compensation, classroom conditions and the need to recruit and retain teachers, we are faced with a package which is so completely inadequate that it can only be seen as a deliberate provocation.

The government has ample resources to make the necessary investment to address all of the key concerns in public education as it did in healthcare. Instead, it has chosen to embark on a path that constitutes a prescription for labour strife which is absolutely unnecessary, but which may now be inevitable. It has set up an unwanted fight between teachers and school boards, and an unwarranted forced choice between salaries and classroom conditions.

The government has also launched an aggressive public relations campaign based on the incorrect assertion that Alberta teachers will have the highest salaries in the country as a result of this budget. Their information is completely without foundation. For example, four Ontario school boards have settlements which would see their teachers earn from three to four thousand dollars more than the projected maximum salary for Alberta teachers.

In addition, the government has dramatically changed the face of collective bargaining in education in Alberta: its decision to "envelope" salaries for teachers constitutes an unprecedented direct government intrusion into local bargaining. We have long favoured local bargaining with school boards, but the government's provocative intervention both invites and requires a provincial response by teachers.

Teachers across the province are frustrated and angry—and rightly so. We did not choose this conflict; it was forced on us. But let us be very clear in our resolve: we will take all the actions that are necessary in order to achieve the compensation that we deserve and the classroom conditions that allow us to deliver professional service to all of Alberta's children. In doing so, we will also ensure that we can attract and keep qualified new members in our profession.

Ours is a democratic organization, and I am asking that you play an active role in the coming weeks to determine our course of action. On the weekend of May 19–21, 2001, nearly 450 teacher representatives from every part of Alberta will gather in Edmonton for our Annual Representative Assembly. These delegates have the authority to determine directions for the Association, and they will be making decisions on your behalf.

I encourage you to discuss the situation with your colleagues and to communicate your views to your local representatives. There is no question that provincial action is necessary; your representatives need to know the kind of provincial actions that you would advise and support.

There is enormous strength in solidarity among our 32,000 members across the province. We know that our concerns are valid, and that our government can well afford to invest the necessary resources to the ultimate benefit of all Albertans. I urge you to work with your colleagues and representatives and to commit yourselves to the actions that are necessary for fair and just settlements in our province.
   

Sincerely
Larry Booi
ATA President

April 30, 2001