On the morning of Monday, March 9, the Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation (STF) announced in a news release that the province’s teachers would be launching job action beginning Thursday, March 12.

The move will impact all voluntary and extra-curricular supports in Saskatchewan schools.

The Senior Boys and Girls Basketball Regional Championships are supposed to be slated for March 13 and 14, with the HOOPLA Provincial Championships on deck for the following weekend. However, due to job action, the Saskatchewan High School Athletic Association (SHSAA) has provided a deadline for sanctions to be lifted. If the deadline of Wednesday, March 11 before 3:30 PM cannot be met, both events will be cancelled.

"The Executive reviewed past scenarios where teacher-government contract negotiations have impacted SHSAA activities and championships. The SHSAA relies heavily on the volunteer efforts of teachers across this province to provide educational athletic experiences to our students. Without Saskatchewan teachers available to participate in SHSAA activities as a coach, official, or organizer, SHSAA events cannot continue to be offered," stated the SHSAA in a press release.

The Executive Council has determined that basketball playoffs will continue if efforts between the two bargaining committees can result in sanctions being lifted before 3:30 PM on Wednesday, March 11, 2020.

"It will be most unfortunate if the two sides cannot come to an arrangement that will allow the sanctions to be lifted. Approximately 1700 students and 300 coaches would be impacted by the cancellation as will several other organizations and entities that are involved with SHSAA and the hosting of basketball playoffs."

The SHSAA Executive and Office Staff has stated they will be unavailable for further comment and will wait to see what the two sides can do to alleviate the situation by 3:30 PM on Wednesday, March 11, 2020.