Deal between province and teachers in jeopardy

Edmonton - A four year labour deal between the province and teachers may be in jeopardy just a few days after it was announced.

Alberta's school boards weren't at the final labour talks and many of the boards are upset about what they are being asked to sign.

"We feel there could be an erosion in local decision making," says Jacqui Hansen, Alberta School Boards Association.

School boards held an emergency meeting Monday, with 60 of Alberta's 62 boards in attendance. They talked about last week's four year tentative labour deal which would see three years of zero per cent salary hikes.

But boards say the deal will not only cost them money but power as well. They point out that every board must still sign on.

"They need to go home and have that discussion at their table and decide, in fact, whether the stability of four years, whether the zero increase in salaries is worth some of the content that's in this agreement," says Hansen.

The School Board Association hasn't decided if it will recommend the deal. Edmonton Public will decide on the issue Tuesday. The board chair says it has a lot to consider, like funding challenges it believes the deal ignores.

"Those aren't addressed in the current proposal being asked to consent to. We have a number of fixed costs we know are going to be increasing," says Sarah Hoffman, Edmonton Public School Board Chair.

Education Minister Jeff Johnson did meet with the boards Monday. He says he understands their concerns and acknowledges boards need to be at the table. But he adds, board financial worries are due to a tough budget not the tentative deal.

"There are pressures in this budget that will force them to make some difficult decisions," says Johnson.

The minister remains confident the deal will get done.

"I'm really optimistic. I'm really hopeful. We'll work with each board. So, we're going to work hard to get this across the finish line," says Johnson.

The School Boards Association is expected to decide whether to recommend all boards approve the deal or not by Wednesday or Thursday.

With files from Fletcher Kent