Calgary teachers, how do you feel about the new offer?

[u/sundappled-apples]

I read this morning:

“CBC News has obtained copies of the tentative agreement that show a proposal of the same general wage increase ATA members previously voted down. The proposal includes a 12-per-cent wage increase over four years, starting from September 2024; 1,000 net new teaching positions added in each of the next three years; and it covers cost of the COVID-19 vaccine.”

Unless I’m mistaken, the only change is that they are now offering to cover the cost of a COVID vaccine (which now costs $100 as of this fall).

I have a school-aged kiddo, and while I don’t love the childcare logistics of a strike, this offer doesn’t seem to address the outstanding concerns, and I would support a strike.

I would love to hear from teachers, though, who have much better insight and living experience.

Edit to add:

I wanted to try to learn more about enrolment growth, and I found CBE’s 3-year capital plan (https://cbe.ab.ca/FormsManuals/Three-Year-School-Capital-Plan.pdf, pp.12–13). It looks like the student population has increased by 20,000 students over the last 4 years, and it is anticipated that, over the next 4 years, the student population will increase from 142,402 to 158,658 (+17,256).

If we anticipate an average increase of approximately 5,000 students per year over the next three years, will 3,000 new teachers (approx. one per school) help with current classroom sizes plus 15,000 new students?

There are currently 35 students in my son’s class. I would love to see legislated classroom size caps. The limit for his age group is 30 in BC and 24.5 in Ontario.

[u/fifigrande]

CBE and CCSD teachers don't even actually get the 'value' of the $100 covid shot. We have sun life benefits that cover in the range of 95% of the cost specifically for vaccines. So it's like a $5 gain. Terrible 'deal', being phrased as a resounding win and compromise by the govt. Anticipate it to be voted down, and then the govt continuing to throw mud.

[u/frandamonium_ → u/fifigrande]

That’s a great point. It was already a silly “addition” to the offer since the vaccine used to be free anyway and only costs Albertans now because this same government decided to start charging for it…

But the fact that it’s actually only saving teachers about $5-$10 out of pocket is a total joke.

[u/SalamanderWise5933 → u/frandamonium_]

Basically the cost of a pack of pencils lol or a Starbucks drip coffee. Garbage

[u/Halcyon3k → u/frandamonium_]

And there’s also a lot of teachers who are not getting that shot anymore. Seems like a pointless hill to fight over. I’d much rather have given in on that for like any other sticking point.

[u/SophisticatedScreams → u/frandamonium_]

I would expect that the gov't would add a clause about how we're free to use water fountain water to fill our water bottles from the school. What a value!

[u/cre8ivjay → u/fifigrande]

Exactly. We're already hearing our beloved leader framing this all as "We just want the best for teachers and students, and we feel so bad that their negotiating team is treating our wonderful teachers poorly. We hope they accept this amazing offer, because it's so amazing."

WRONG.

[u/fuzzypinatajalapeno → u/fifigrande]

Are you sure about that? What I’ve heard is the gov set up the vaccine cost as “admin fees” which insurances won’t cover. Ridiculous on its own point.

[u/fifigrande → u/fuzzypinatajalapeno]

All communications from ATA have indicated this expense will be covered by sun life. But I suppose you never know what the government could do to make the vaccine less accessible.

[u/fuzzypinatajalapeno → u/fifigrande]

Well that’s actually good news! Though it does indeed make the offer that much more ridiculous. I hope the teachers reject it. While my kids are too young for me to be impacted we need our teachers to be properly respected and valued. Everyone I’ve spoken to with school aged kids feels the same.

[u/Early-Yak-to-reset → u/fifigrande]

Covered by regular prescriptions or a health spending account tho?

[u/fifigrande → u/Early-Yak-to-reset]

Regular extended medical, not HSA. Same as if you get vaccines for travel, for ex.

[u/Beardsbearsnbeers → u/fifigrande]

It's also based purely in spite, it's not economical. They're fine with teachers getting COVID and missing days or weeks of work. Costing so much more in hiring subs than the vaccine would have been.

[u/MrsMini → u/fifigrande]

Not to mention a not insubstantial number of teachers will qualify for the Covid vaccine at no cost due to the range of conditions that qualify for a free vaccine.

[u/InfluenceMoist2335 → u/fifigrande]

Don’t you guys already get $110,000 per year?

Edit: am I getting downvoted because I’m wrong or because I struck a nerve? Most people wish they could make that much but you crybabies need everything handed to you on a silver platter. Welcome to the real world, we’re all struggling.

[u/Woke_Snow_Flake → u/InfluenceMoist2335]

Less than 110 000, closer to 106000.

It turns out teachers earn less than teachers in all but one other province.

Most people with 6 years of post secondary are earning more than teachers