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EDMONTON — The Alberta government says it has struck a tentative deal with the union representing 51,000 teachers provincewide.
The potential deal will need to be ratified by members of the Alberta Teachers’ Association, and Finance Minister Nate Horner says a vote is to take place in the coming days.
Horner didn’t give specifics on what’s now on the table, but says the offer is good for Alberta’s education system and “strong on classroom investment.”
“If ratified, this deal will form the basis for labour stability in the province and will be a positive path forward for a successful school year for our kids,” Horner said in a statement Wednesday.
“My thanks to both parties for their work in developing a tentative agreement that reflects elements that are good for teachers and the education system as a whole.”
The union, in a statement, said the vote will take place this weekend and results are expected to be published after voting closes Monday evening.
“Teachers will go on strike on October 6 in the absence of accepting a deal,” the statement reads.
A strike would see classes disrupted for more than 700,000 students across 2,500 schools.
Jason Schilling, the union’s president, said teachers aren’t taking the weekend vote lightly.
“They recognize what is on the line with this vote and remain committed to an outcome that prioritizes the future of our public education system,” he said.
Contract talks stalled this month over salaries and investments demanded by teachers to reduce classroom sizes and address teaching complexities.
The province took the union to the labour board last week over a communications document that claimed provincial negotiators didn’t have the power to negotiate non-wage issues, which the government said wasn’t true.
The labour board issued a consent order Thursday resolving the complaint. The order said the parties agreed the only outstanding bargaining issues are related to pay hikes and COVID-19 vaccines for teachers.
The two sides returned to the bargaining table Friday — the same day the province rolled out an advertising campaign defending its previous offer.
That offer, rejected by teachers in May, includes hiring 3,000 more teachers and a 12 per cent pay boost over four years.
The union, which also didn’t provide much detail on what the new tentative agreement includes, said Wednesday the commitment to hire 3,000 teachers over three years remains.
The government’s ad campaign includes a 15-second upbeat video of popping graphics and smiling faces highlighting the government’s offerings, including the pay rise and more money to reduce classroom sizes.
It ends with a narrator saying, “Now that’s a good deal that keeps kids in the classroom.”
The union had already rolled out its own advertising campaign, using billboards, TV and radio commercials, teacher testimonials on social media, and postcards and lawn signs to share its message.
The return to bargaining also came just a day after a key negotiator for the teachers’ union resigned.
In a social media post after stepping down, Peter MacKay said he left because he “didn’t see a path” forward for getting a deal in place.
The union had said MacKay’s departure wouldn’t affect future bargaining efforts.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 24, 2025.
Jack Farrell, The Canadian Press
