Following the rejection of the mediator’s recommendations by teachers, Provincial Executive Council held an emergent meeting and decided not to provide strike pay directly to members from the Special Emergency Fund (SEF). Due to the way SEF is structured and funded through member dues, it is unlikely it would allow for meaningful support to individual members during a provincial strike. With all members potentially out at the same time, this would be an inefficient form of forced savings as any funds used would need to be replenished, typically, from member dues.
Without strike pay, members who do not have many savings to rely on may need to seek other methods to reduce potential financial burdens. The following list contains some that members can explore to assist them financially should a strike occur:
Other than contacting lenders and services as noted above, members might consider focusing only on essential spending for now. The money saved by eliminating or reducing discretionary items such as meals out, entertainment and travel can be set aside in savings as a financial cushion should strike action occur. WORTH SHARING Currently, there is uncertainty about possible labour action for teachers, which is creating anxiety for some, especially as it relates to their finances. It is recommended members be proactive and explore options available to help reduce financial burdens should strike action take place. Many lenders, creditors and other billing agencies provide options to customers experiencing financial hardship. Members can also be more mindful of their spending habits now and start tucking some funds away should they need them in the future. #WeAreATA We’re continuing to host Member Information Meetings to ensure all teachers have the opportunity to understand the mediator’s recommended settlement. 👉 View the full meeting schedule here. To help you stay informed, we’ve also developed a Frequently Asked Questions page, which covers the following key areas of the mediator's report:
The ratification vote on the mediator’s recommended settlement will take place from May 2–5, 2025, with results to be announced on May 6. To ensure you can access your ballot, we must have your personal email address on file. So far, we’ve collected over 25,000 teacher emails—but if yours isn’t included, please add it now. 👉 Submit your personal email here. Thank you for staying informed and engaged in this important process. Peter MacKay, Central Table Bargaining Committee (CTBC) Chair Sean Brown, CTBC Chief Negotiator
Today, the ATA issued the following statement in response to members of Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) locals 2545 and 2559 in Fort McMurray ratifying deals.
“Teachers are hopeful that the settlement of the Fort McMurray agreements, along with the tentative deals reached in other jurisdictions, will prompt immediate action by remaining school boards to settle with their striking employees. The government’s interference in collective bargaining, together with its unwillingness to properly fund public education, led to this strike and delayed its resolution. This was entirely avoidable. These agreements, achieved through the sacrifice of workers in CUPE locals 2545 and 2559 over the last four months, will finally lift the heavy burden this labour action has placed on support workers, students and teachers, allowing a return to normalcy.” -ATA president Jason Schilling The Alberta School Employee Benefit Plan’s (ASEBP) Employee and Family Assistance Plan (EFAP) is being rebranded from Inkblot by GreenShield to GreenShield Health. Effective March 17, 2025, the EFAP provider for those covered under ASEBP will be rebranded as GreenShield Health (formerly referred to as Inkblot). There are no changes to the existing programs and services; however, some enhancements will now be available. These include a mental health program built for kids, the first and only all-Indigenous virtual mental wellness clinic and digital cognitive behavioural therapy for anxiety and depression. ASEBP’s It Takes a Village website will be updated with new information and resources. On March 13, 2025, covered members and their dependents who are registered with Inkblot will receive a “migration” e-mail from Inkblot announcing the changes. Members (but not dependents) will also receive a welcome e-mail from GreenShield on March 17, 2025, which will include an organization code that is required for signing up. Members will also require their ASEBP ID number to sign up. Dependents will need the organization code but not the ASEBP ID to sign up. GreenShield has developed a reference outlining how you can register for a new EFAP account or migrate your EFAP account from Inkblot. If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to a benefit specialist at [email protected] or call toll free at 1-877-431-4786. WORTH SHARING ASEBP is rebranding the Employee and Family Assistance Plan from Inkblot to GreenShield Health, which includes enhancements to the existing programs and services. Covered members under ASEBP can expect to receive an email on March 13 announcing the changes. #WeAreATA The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) has been on strike in eight school divisions across the province. In some cases, such as Fort McMurray Public and Catholic, they began rolling strike action in mid-November 2024 and started their full strike on January 7, 2025. Edmonton Public, meanwhile, has been on full strike since January 13 and is approaching week nine of the strike. While CUPE continues to stand and fight for a living wage and reasonable settlement, the lack of classroom and school support is taking its toll on teachers. This impact is felt even more by those who have been out the longest and are dealing with the effects of the Ministerial Order injunction, which has led to the implementation of rotational schedules for in-person instruction.
Teachers and school leaders are beyond exhausted. They are doing their best to deliver instruction while supporting teaching and learning conditions, but they are suffering under impossible circumstances. The Association acknowledges the need for support among its members. Although our capacity to influence negotiations with CUPE and school divisions is limited during these challenging times, it is important for members to be informed about the resources available to assist them. Each situation and each experience is unique, particularly for school leaders. Therefore, the primary support is to contact Teacher Employment Services (TES). Association staff are here to assist and listen. We take the privilege of speaking with members very seriously. All calls are confidential. We provide advice on collective agreement provisions and interpretations of clauses, which may be especially helpful for school leaders. TES is knowledgeable about benefit plans and your Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP) and is ready to help you access support. If you are unable to call, please review the resources below, which may help you. If you are in distress and suffering a mental health crisis, call or text 9-8-8. This number is available 24/7 in both English and French and is available anywhere in Canada. Your group health benefits, provided in your collective agreement, include resources such as psychological services and the EFAP.
WORTH SHARING CUPE has been on strike in eight school divisions across the province. They are fighting for a living wage and a reasonable settlement. However, the ongoing strike has resulted in significant classroom and school support shortages, particularly affecting teachers in more protracted strikes. Teachers and school leaders feel overwhelmed and struggle to provide their usual professional service under these challenging conditions. The Association is here to help all members. Reach out to Teacher Employment Services (TES). TES can provide confidential advice on collective agreement provisions, benefits and access to support, including through the Employee and Family Assistance Program. In the Edmonton area, call 1-800-232-7208, and in the Calgary area, call 1-800-332-1280. If you are in crisis, please call or text 9-8-8 for assistance. Help is available. Speak with someone today. #WeAreATA |
Details
Updates from ATA ProvincialArchives
May 2025
Categories |