Background
This page is designed to provide our families, students, and staff with up-to-date and transparent information regarding the ongoing provincial collective bargaining process between the Alberta Teachers' Association (ATA) and the Teachers' Employer Bargaining Association (TEBA).
We understand that the possibility of a teacher strike is a source of uncertainty and concern. Our top priority is to ensure the continuity of student learning and to keep our school community as informed as possible throughout this process.
Current Update
September 3, 2025: Despite the impasse and the potential for job action, no strike or lockout has been announced. Schools are currently open, and classes are proceeding as scheduled. The ATA and TEBA must provide 72 hours' notice before any job action begins.
We are actively monitoring the situation and will update this page immediately should new information become available.
Past Updates
- September 2, 2025: Despite the breakdown in talks, schools across the province are beginning the 2025-2026 school year as scheduled. There has been no notice of a strike or lockout issued.
- August 29, 2025: ATA President Jason Schilling has stated that despite the impasse, students will be in school next week (September 2 - 5, 2025).
- August 29, 2025: TEBA announces it has voted to authorize a lockout of teachers. A lockout is the employer's equivalent of a strike, and it requires a minimum of 72 hours' notice.
- August 28, 2025: Bargaining negotiations between the ATA and TEBA break off.
- August 21, 2025: Negotiations between the ATA and TEBA are ongoing.
- August 19, 2025: TEBA applies to the Alberta Labour Relations Board for a lockout vote on August 29.
- June 10, 2025: Alberta Teachers' Association announces that 94.5% of its members voted in favour of strike action. This vote follows the rejection of a mediator's recommended settlement.
We value the hard work and dedication of all our teachers and staff. We are hopeful that a fair and timely resolution will be reached through the ongoing bargaining process. Thank you for your patience and understanding. We will continue to keep you informed.
Additional Background Information
The ATA announced on June 10, 2025, that its members voted 94.5% in favour of strike action. This vote gives the ATA a 120-day legal window to initiate job action, which could include a full strike, rotating strikes, or a "work-to-rule" campaign. The deadline for job action is October 7, 2025.
The ATA must provide a minimum of 72 hours' notice before any form of strike action begins.
TEBA, which represents school boards and the government, has also applied to the Alberta Labour Relations Board to hold a lockout vote on August 29, 2025, which would allow for an employer-initiated work stoppage.
We are actively monitoring the situation and will update this page immediately should new information become available.
What is a "strike"?
A strike is a legal work stoppage by employees to pressure their employer to agree to their terms and conditions of employment.
What is "work-to-rule"?
"Work-to-rule" is a form of job action where teachers perform only the duties explicitly outlined in their collective agreement. This can mean the withdrawal of voluntary services, such as supervising extracurricular activities, coaching sports teams, and attending after-school events.
What is a "lockout"?
A lockout is a work stoppage initiated by the employer. It is the employer's equivalent of a strike and may involve the closing of schools.
Will schools be closed during a strike?
If a full strike is called, our schools will be closed to students. We would notify families immediately via our website, email, and social media channels. In the event of a "work-to-rule" campaign, schools would remain open, but extracurricular activities and other non-essential services would be cancelled.
How will I know if schools are closed?
We are committed to providing you with as much notice as possible within the 72 hours' notice we are provided in the event a strike (or lockout) is called and schools will be closed.
We will post updates on this page, send out email notifications to all families, and share information on our official social media accounts. Please ensure your contact information is up to date with the school.
What will happen to student learning during a strike?
In the event of a full strike, we are developing contingency plans to support student learning. Information about these plans will be shared with families if and when a strike is confirmed. Please note that teacher-led instruction, whether in-person or online, would cease during a full strike.
Will busing continue during a strike?
If schools are closed due to a full strike, school bus transportation will also be suspended.
What is being negotiated?
The provincial bargaining process is focused on a new collective agreement between the ATA and TEBA. Key areas of negotiation include teacher compensation, classroom complexity, class sizes, and resources for students.
