Separate job action coming for local schools on Friday

After talks halted between the Saskatchewan Teachers' Federation and provincial government late Tuesday night, a majority of west-central Saskatchewan students will see their own separate disruptions at school on Friday. Whether it be due to the one-day rotating strike, or withdrawal of lunchtime supervision, both the Living Sky and Sun West School Division's will be part of Friday's job action in their own capacity.

• Negotiations between Teachers’ union and government fail, job action to resume Friday

Living Sky School Division teachers are part of the Tri-West Teachers Association who will be picketing in North Battleford, in front of the office of Education Minister Jeremy Cockrill. The Tri-West teachers were just one association to join STF President Samantha Becotte picketing at the same location back on February 1.  

• STF President joins Tri-West Teachers' Association protests in North Battleford

The Sun West School Division hasn't been scheduled in for any of the rotating strikes, but will be among the schools withdrawing from noon-hour supervision. Swiftly alerting parents to the news, Sun West shared the following statement on Facebook Wednesday morning regarding the job action set for lunchtime on February 16.

"STF members will not be available to supervise students when they are eating or participating in noon hour activities. Limited supervision will be provided by schools. Specific information will be shared by school principals. In the interest of student safety during this withdrawal of service, we are encouraging parents to pick up their children or have them walk home for lunch if possible. There will be no disruption to classes. There will be no disruption to the supervision of students during recess." their post confirmed. "We respect the collective bargaining rights of all Sun West employees. Our focus is always on student safety and in the event of job action, minimizing disruption to student learning."

• Teacher strikes disrupting Sask DLC online learning

Covering the situation locally, WestCentralOnline has gained comments from the Sun West Teachers' Association, reached out to the Tri-West Teachers' Association, and invited Kindersley MLA Ken Francis in studio to give a government perspective.

The Government of Saskatchewan has made a few announcements concerning education funding in the last few days, such as $32 million in classroom funding, and $400,000 through a new support fund.