To the editor:
The government of Saskatchewan is presently involved with contract negotiations with school teachers. The last teacher contract there ended on August 31, 2013, and negotiations are still going on.
A 6.5 per cent wage increase over four years, offered in October 2013, was rejected by the Saskatchewan teachers even after the Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation told the teachers to vote yes for the contract.
A second offer with a wage increase of 7.3 per cent wage increase over four years was also rejected in June 2014, even after the Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation told the teachers to vote yes for the contract.
Saskatchewan education minister Don Morgan, said that class size and curriculum cannot be included in the contract.
What is ironic here, is that the Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation negotiated new contracts twice with the Saskatchewan government, advising the teachers to accept the offers, but still the teachers would not listen to their union.
In summary, it all boils down to the fact that the majority of school teachers are greedy, and that Saskatchewan school teachers are more greedy than their counterpart teachers in B.C.
What is amazing, is even without a wage increase, most teachers are paid excellent wages and benefits and cannot seem to realize that they only have to work 188 days per year where the rest of us must work 238 days per year.
Unbelievable, as they all have a university education. Makes one wonder at times.
Joe Sawchuk,
Duncan
