The Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation’s work-to-rule sanctions will be suspended effective 11:59 p.m. today as they return to the negotiation table with the provincial government. 

The STF says this is a result of ongoing discussions with the government to address concerns about the accountability of funding to address class size and complexity. 

The negotiations between the Government-Trustee Bargaining Committee and the STF are expected to resume on Tuesday. The STF says no sanctions will be implemented while negotiations take place. 

A press conference on Friday morning held by STF president Samantha Becotte had a much more upbeat tone compared to previous announcements. Becotte was a lot more optimistic that a deal could be done.

"I’m hopeful that this is a step in the right direction, that we can continue on this good work and, in the end, it’s only going to benefit our students we’re here to serve and we’re here to support," Becotte said.

Becotte added that the STF is willing to stay at the table for as long as it takes to get a deal done.

"I hope these are 12 hour days. I hope we’re getting down to the conversations that need to be had so that we can get a resolution as soon as possible so that there’s certainty for the teachers that I represent, but also certainty for students in the last few months of their school and their families as well," Becotte said.

The teachers have been without a contract since August and negotiation had stalled leading to the job action. The teachers have been asking for funding for classroom size and complexity to be added to the collective bargaining agreement, while the provincial government has said classroom size and complexity should be left up to the local school divisions.

During the provincial budget, the government announced a multi-year agreement with the Saskatchewan School Boards Association of $356.6 million per year over four years for additional classroom supports.

The STF has been asking for wording in the collective bargaining agreement to make the funding binding with accountability framework.

Minister of Education Jeremy Cockrill released the following statement:

I welcome the news that the Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation (STF) senior leadership has agreed to return to the bargaining table and pause their job sanctions.

I thank the STF senior leadership for their willingness to work collaboratively to find a path back to the bargaining table.

Our government wants to get back to a place where government, school boards and teachers are all working together to improve education in Saskatchewan.

Parents and families have been significantly affected by job sanctions over the last few weeks and months and it is time to move forward to ensure our children can be in the classroom and participate in extra-curricular activities.

As I have always said, the best agreement will be reached at the bargaining table, and I am optimistic about the prospect of getting an agreement done on behalf of students, families, and teachers next week.

Holy Trinity Catholic School Division has sent a letter out to families saying that the usual schedule for all schools will start on Monday. The letter added that, beginning next week, staff members will communicate with students and parents about the resumption of activities.

The Prairie South School Division has also sent out a letter to parents to say that all noon-hour supervision and extra curricular activities will resume on Monday.