Labour Action Information

Overview

Labour action is part of Alberta’s labour relations system. It can take the form of a strike (employees withdraw services) or a lockout (employer prevents employees from working). Both are legal only under strict conditions and both require advance notice.

CTR staff are not bargaining at the local level. Teacher salaries and working conditions are negotiated centrally between the Alberta Teachers’ Association (ATA) and the Teachers’ Employer Bargaining Association (TEBA). CTR’s responsibility is to ensure safety, clarity, and communication in the event of disruption.

Key Terms

Strike: 

According to the Alberta Labour Relations Board (ALRB), a strike involves one or more of the following actions:

  • A cessation of work, 
  • A refusal to work, or 
  • A refusal to continue to work
    by two or more employees who act together with a shared intent—to compel their employer (or bargaining agent) to agree to certain terms or conditions of employment.

Lockout: 

According to the Alberta Labour Relations Board (ALRB), a lockout means:

  • the closing of a place of employment by an employer,
  • the suspension of work by an employer, or
  • a refusal by an employer to continue to employ employees —
    all for the purpose of compelling employees to agree to terms or conditions of employment with the intent to compel employees to accept certain employment terms. 

Teachers across Alberta voted on the mediated agreement tentatively reached by the Teachers’ Employer Bargaining Association (TEBA), which represents Alberta school boards in central bargaining with the Alberta Teachers’ Association (ATA). The results of the vote have indicated the teachers’ rejection of this tentative agreement. This means that the teachers will likely proceed with their plans to strike beginning on Monday, October 6. Any changes to this likely outcome would be determined at a provincial level. CTR is committed to communicating to parents and staff as soon as any new information is available. Given the likelihood of the strike, it is expected that schools will be closed to students on Monday, October 6.

When is Job Action Legal?

A strike or lockout can only take place when:

  1. The collective agreement has expired.
     
  2. The ATA and TEBA have entered bargaining but reached an impasse.
     
  3. A formal mediator has been involved.
     
  4. A 14-day cooling-off period has passed after mediation has ceased.
     
  5. The Alberta Labour Relations Board (ALRB) has supervised a strike or lockout vote.
     
  6. More than 50% of those voting support the action.
     
  7. A 72-hour notice is issued before job action begins. 

Current Situation

  • On the evening of September 29, the results of the teacher vote of the tentative collective agreement between the Alberta Teachers’ Association (ATA) and the Teachers’ Employer Bargaining Association (TEBA) teachers across Alberta were released. Teachers across the province voted against the agreement and are very likely to engage in a strike starting on Monday, October 6. Regular classroom instruction continues until that time. Schools will be closed to students starting on Monday, October 6. We are committed to providing you with further updates and information moving forward.  

What This Means for CTR

  • Teachers across the province voted against the agreement and are very likely to engage in a strike starting on Monday, October 6. Regular classroom instruction continues until that time. Schools will be closed to students starting on Monday, October 6. Teachers will not be coming to work during the strike. Support staff will continue to be paid and expected to report to work. We are committed to providing you with further updates and information moving forward.
  • CTR does not negotiate these agreements - they are negotiated and voted upon provincially.
  • Our role is to prepare contingency plans so that students, families, and staff are supported during disruption.
  • All official updates will be shared through CTR’s communication channels (internal site, email, website, and social media).

How to Talk About This with Families

If asked, staff can say:

  • Teachers across the province voted against the agreement and are very likely to engage in a strike starting on Monday, October 6. 
  • Regular classroom instruction continues until that time. Schools will be closed to students starting on Monday, October 6. 
  • Encourage parents to seek childcare arrangements if needed.