In place of conducting physics lessons for 38 high school students this week, Adrien Dominguez, a math and science educator from High Prairie, near Edmonton, finds himself at home grappling with financial concerns.
With a provincewide strike commencing on Monday, Dominguez and approximately 51,000 fellow teachers are now facing uncertainty about meeting their financial obligations without their regular salaries.
“I know colleagues who have lost dual incomes because they both work in education,” Dominguez remarked.
He mentioned that some teacher acquaintances are contemplating returning to roles in the service industry, such as waitressing, bartending, and retail.
“Depending on the duration of the strike,” Dominguez stated, “I might have to resume my photography, marketing, and university tutoring activities.”
The labor action by teachers follows a prolonged and contentious standoff between the Alberta Teachers’ Association and the province, primarily revolving around wage and working condition disputes.
The Teachers’ Employer Bargaining Association, responsible for collective bargaining with K-12 teachers in the province, put forth an offer that was declined in a teachers’ vote. The offer included a 12% wage increase over four years and the recruitment of 3,000 additional teachers to alleviate overcrowded classrooms.
Premier Danielle Smith has asserted that the province’s proposal is equitable and that they are open to returning to the negotiating table.
The strike impacts over 740,000 students across 2,500 public, separate, and francophone schools, marking it as the largest walkout in the province’s history, as per a labor expert.
ATA president Jason Schilling stated that members will not receive strike pay, although health benefits will remain intact.
“Teachers understand that they won’t be compensated during the strike,” he noted. “They made this decision after careful consideration… and are prepared to make sacrifices.”
For the first time, 51,000 teachers across Alberta’s public, Catholic and francophone schools have gone on strike, keeping 730,000 students out of the classroom. The union is fighting for smaller class sizes and better wages.
Dominguez revealed that while he has an emergency fund set aside, it is not sustainable for an extended period.
John Varga, a teacher in Calgary alongside his wife, is facing a similar financial strain. They have resorted to selling old bicycles stored in their garage to generate additional income.
“It’s going to be a financially tight month,” Varga expressed.
Teaching computer science, physics, and social studies, Varga emphasized the challenges of teaching, particularly with one class comprising 40 students with various learning disabilities, ranging from ADHD to language limitations.
He noted that at times, high-performing students assist their classmates due to the