Danielle Smith’s Government Moves to Order Teachers Back to Work

Premier Danielle Smith is preparing to take decisive action as her government considers a back-to-work order for teachers in Alberta. During a meeting on October 24, 2023, Smith’s inner circle discussed the potential move, which they describe as a last resort. The government is facing increasing pressure to resolve the ongoing teacher strike, which has disrupted educational services.

The Alberta legislature reconvenes on October 27, 2023, and the government plans to introduce legislation aimed at mandating teachers to return to classrooms if negotiations with the Alberta Teachers’ Association (ATA) remain stalled. Joseph Schow, a key figure in the province’s legislative process, emphasized the need for students to be in school. “I think everyone would agree kids belong in the classroom. As a government, we understand that,” Schow stated.

Despite the urgency of the situation, Schow refrained from specifying when the back-to-work law would be put forward. He expressed confidence that the government would take necessary measures to ensure students receive the education they require. This sentiment echoes the government’s position that allowing the strike to continue would cause irreversible damage to students’ educational journeys.

The Smith administration has made it clear that if an agreement is not reached by the week of October 27, they will take action. Schow remarked, “We are going to discuss all the means available to us.” This statement suggests a readiness to implement the back-to-work order if negotiations do not progress.

As of now, the ATA and the government are not actively negotiating, with both sides reportedly feeling increasingly distant in their discussions. Schow anticipates that the opposition, led by the Alberta NDP and Naheed Nenshi, will respond strongly against any legislation aimed at mandating teachers back to work. He stated, “I would suspect it wouldn’t be too far in saying the opposition would oppose such legislation vehemently.”

The situation remains fluid as the government prepares for the upcoming legislative session, with both sides aware that the stakes are high for Alberta’s students. As the clock continues to tick, all eyes will be on the Alberta legislature and the potential repercussions of the decisions made in the coming days.