All Things Mediation

Your Central Table Bargaining Committee (CTBC) and the Teachers’ Employer Bargaining Association (TEBA) met for a central bargaining session at the end of October. At the conclusion of that session, the CTBC and TEBA decided to move forward with mediation. After consulting with Provincial Executive Council (PEC), a joint application to request the services of a government-appointed mediator was submitted to the Director of Mediation Services.
Members were updated on October 30 on the status of bargaining. The update indicated that an application for mediation would be forthcoming and that virtual Member Information Meetings (MiMs) would be held November 18, 19 and 20. The MiMs (two English and one French) provided a more thorough bargaining update for members, as well as laying out the case for proceeding to mediation.

Recently, a mediator was appointed to help the parties address the significant issues at the bargaining table. Deborah Howes was appointed by the director and is supported by both parties. Howes is known to the Association and was instrumental in resolving the most recent Edmonton Public Teachers local bargaining dispute. She has also been on several other challenging files with the Association. To be clear, it should not be construed that this mediator sides with the Association. She is an impartial third party—someone who is fair and respected and will push both parties to find a resolution.

The CTBC and TEBA are coordinating dates with the mediator for January. Once confirmed, the dates will be shared with members. The CTBC has four more dates scheduled with TEBA (November 26–27 and December 12–13) before mediation. Updates will be provided after these sessions.

The mediation MiMs received positive responses from members. The first English MiM was held on November 18, with over 3,600 participants. On November 19, approximately 10 per cent of francophone members attended the French MiM, and the November 20 English MiM saw over 1,900 in attendance.
Given the busyness of members’ work lives, the meetings were recorded for those who could not attend. Access the recordings in English and French from the Association’s Bargaining Update page here. Questions and answers from all the meetings have been compiled and are posted with the videos.

WORTH SHARING
Member Information Meetings (MiMs) about mediation were held November 18–20. Watch English or French recordings by visiting Bargaining Update page here. Support your CTBC at the table on November 26–27 and December 12–13 by wearing red. Thank you for your continued support! We are in this together. #WeAreATA