The Alberta Teachers’ Association

Teachers with Red Deer Catholic Regional Division are urging the school board to get serious about settlement after labour board admonishes bad behaviour.

A recent Alberta Labour Relations Board decision found the school board was guilty of unfair bargaining practices after central office employees attempted to interfere in the rights of teachers and the Association.

Teachers in Red Deer Catholic have been working without a collective agreement for two-and-a-half years. Out of 61 school jurisdictions in the province, the school jurisdiction remains one of only 13 boards that have not reached an agreement for the 2016 through 2018 period.

“We are pleased with this decision and feel vindicated that our concerns were validated. Local bargaining has stalled as a result of the board’s use of these divisive tactics. Teachers are getting very frustrated that this dispute has gone on for so long and simply want the board to get on with reaching a settlement.”

- Red Deer Catholic Local president Stephen Merredew

Merredew is encouraging the board to return to the bargaining table and work quickly and constructively towards an agreement. If they are not willing to do that, teachers have authorized the use of voluntary binding arbitration and will ask the board to agree to that process.

Merredew has a simple message for the school board:

“Quit playing games and quit thwarting settlement. Let’s get this done so teachers, students and the school division can move on.”

The Alberta Teachers’ Association serves as the bargaining agent for 800 teachers employed with Red Deer Catholic Regional Division in schools in Red Deer, Sylvan Lake, Olds, Rocky Mountain House, Innisfail and Blackfalds, including substitute teachers, school principals and some central office administrators.