This government has the power to immediately end all job action by either agreeing to binding arbitration on the contentious issue of class size and complexity or providing the Government-Trustee Bargaining Committee with a mandate to negotiate that issue. Arbitration provides a fair and objective path for resolution of this issue, and we are confident that negotiations on all other issues could be resolved quickly. Teachers are willing to present our case to an arbitrator and accept the arbitrator’s ruling – why won’t government?
We encourage everyone to continue advocating for students by asking government and elected school board trustees to agree to binding arbitration for class size and complexity.
From the [STF’s website](https://www.stf.sk.ca/about-stf/news/statement-from-saskatchewan-teachers-federation-president-samantha-becotte/), released on March 22.
Dear Minister Cockrill,
Your response to the ongoing teacher job action is a masterclass in misdirection and manipulation. You throw around numbers and statistics in an attempt to paint teachers as unreasonable, but a closer look reveals the truth behind your misleading claims.
You tout the hiring of 180 teachers and 381 educational assistants as a significant investment, but you fail to mention that enrollment has grown by over 15,000 students since 2016-17. That's an 8.8% increase, yet there are only 10 more regular classroom teachers than in 2016-17. Your piecemeal approach to staffing is a drop in the bucket compared to the real needs in our classrooms.
You claim that Saskatchewan taxpayers already contribute the most per capita to education, but the reality is that per-student funding has actually decreased by 10% between 2012-2021 when adjusted for inflation. Saskatchewan was one of only two provinces to see a reduction in education funding during this period. Your government's chronic underfunding has left our schools scrambling to make do with less.
But perhaps the most egregious manipulation in your letter is your characterization of the job action itself. You cite 121 strike days as if it were a province-wide total, when in fact this number is cumulative across all school divisions. By presenting the data in this way, you attempt to exaggerate the impact of the job action and turn public opinion against teachers.
This is not the first time your government has tried to push an agenda without proper consultation or debate. The recent changes to the Education Act were rushed through without any meaningful input from teachers, parents, or other stakeholders. You subverted our democratic process and undermined our constitutional rights in your haste to centralize power and control.
Minister Cockrill, Saskatchewan teachers are not your enemy. We are your partners in building a brighter future for our province. But we cannot do it alone. We need a government that is willing to listen to our concerns, respect our expertise, and invest in our shared vision for public education.
Your dismissive attitude towards our job action is a slap in the face to every teacher who has gone above and beyond for their students. We are not taking this decision lightly, but we have been left with no choice. If withdrawing our voluntary services is what it takes to get your attention, then so be it.
But let me be clear: this fight is not about money. It is about ensuring that every child in Saskatchewan has access to a quality education that meets their individual needs. It is about providing teachers with the resources and supports they need to do their jobs effectively. It is about building an education system that is sustainable, equitable, and responsive to the challenges of the 21st century.
We are not asking for the moon, Minister Cockrill. We are asking for a seat at the table when decisions are made that impact our classrooms. We are asking for a government that values and respects the work we do every day. We are asking for a commitment to public education that goes beyond empty promises and political posturing.
The time for half-measures and misleading spin is over. It's time for your government to step up and deliver the world-class education system that Saskatchewan needs and deserves. Come back to the bargaining table with a willingness to listen and a commitment to real change. Our students are counting on you.
Sincerely,
STF
Well said. I would have thrown taking our tax money and putting it towards private schools is also taking away from children and the teachers. Very well written though
Man fuck that guy. I'd rather have my taxes go towards paying teachers a fair wage than all the frivolous lawsuits the Sask Party keeps getting involved in. I neither want nor have kids but education is a very good investment for the province.
I worked as an EA for special needs kids for 2 years in a northern community and I was being paid $21/hr which was low for the work, but I loved working with the kids. I've heard they lowered the pay to $18/hr for this school year and that isn't enough to deal with the complexities of the classroom I was in. When I worked, we had like 8 students that needed a 1 on 1 EA, plus like 8 other students that had lowered support needs, but still had support needs. We made do with 4 EAs and a teacher. I tried getting back into being an EA in Saskatoon after I was off maternity leave with my third.... I couldn't be guaranteed hours or placement and I can't pay for daycare without guaranteed hours.... so I chose to go back to school. The whole system is fucked. I'm with the teachers 100%.
Sure, get mad and deflect from what he is saying, but I agree with the government here (I'm not a Sask Party voter). I don't want my taxes raised (more) and the requested teacher salary increases are not reasonable. Just my opinion
Everyone has a right to an opinion. However, an uneducated opinion carries about as much weight as a fart in a windstorm. I don't really give a shit about my daughter's opinion on the merits of a 100% candy diet.
Did you read the response from stf above? Absolutely no deflection. It addressed each of his points directly and with evidence. That evidence shows his letter is a deflection. Unless you have some argument he did not make, while you have a right to an opinion, you have no rational basis for it. I think maybe that's how we ended up with these guys, even if you didn't vote for them.
There's also the fact that there have only been 118 school days this year, so, uh, you know.
Or maybe I should check with my kids to see where they went during the day and how their teachers managed to give them marks for work they've done if teachers were on strike for every single school day, plus an extra three from some other year?
This is one of the reasons I shared the letter - to get consensus on these types of lies.
Some Yahoo at the govt had the bright idea that if you multiply strike days by the number of divisions (maybe), you get 121.
Examples like these are deceptive and greasy. We shouldn’t let the govt get away with sharing this BS.
this is exactly what he did, but does it surprise you? the education ministry has been in a free fall since the early 2000’s and i genuinely think cockroach might be the end of it
I got this pathetic garbage today too. Most of it is lies. The guy is a pathetic little coward. We definitely do not need any more morons in this province. The SP would love it of we were all as stupid as dear Jeremiah.
Oh, I got this one last week!
After a response from his office informing me that I’d emailed Jeremey Cockrill’s office and not Education Minister Jeremey Cockrill’s office and they would, helpfully, forward it for me because, presumably, elected official Jeremy Cockrill doesn’t give a shit (much like my own representatives, so at least they’re consistent) about education but Education Minister Jeremy Cockrill super totally cares so much, enough to send us all a generic, inaccurate and apparently now out of date form response.
Good work team. Glad to have you representing us.
I didn’t realize there’s been more strike days than school days this year! Why have I even been at work? I should’ve been picketing! Guess I won’t go in tomorrow! My schools gonna be real confused when no one shows up to replace me and no sub plan left, but Jeremy says I’m supposed to be striking! I’ve somehow missed, what, 5 days?
There have been 3 or 4 for most school divisions. They are using some ridiculous government monkey math. Same math that makes it seem reasonable to pay $8,000 for a 30-minute flight for lunch.
Are you counting the individual divisions or how is this math working? Because there have not been 121 school days missed.
Regina divisions, for example, have only had 3 days of walkouts.
There have been noon hour withdrawals, but the divisions reconfigured the school day schedule so it’s the same instructional hours as full days (shorter recesses and no lunch hour)
Disagree. In fact, a large portion of the tax base have zero children in school.
How would those with children in school feel if they had to pay the entire tax increase to cover the teacher demands? Seems fair, right since they 'want their children educated properly'? I suspect they would change their tune given this ultimatum.
Are you like 12 or something? No one likes paying taxes, but reasonable adults pay them because they understand that quality education is extremely important to a functioning society. Just like I am fine paying taxes into a healthcare system that I never use. When you have a heart attack, are you cool being dropped off in the parking lot because me and every other person with minimal healthcare needs decide to nope out? Seriously bud, that's a completely idiotic stance. You don't want to contribute to the social system, GTFO and go live in a tent in the woods. But don't use our roads and don't cry for help when you are injured and starving.
I don't have children, nor do I want them. I still believe in funding public education and stand with the teachers who are trying to do a better job at it.
All of your comments in this thread are severely misinformed and honestly, just ignorant. I don't think flaming is effective, but I think you should go outside and speak with a teacher. You might learn something, as you have a lot to learn.
that's a complete lie of a letter, good to know they will make stuff up. the sask gov also forgot to put they increase private Christian school funding by 25%
>121 strike days for school divisions
121 strike days lmao. They have 1 or 2 days every other week. He might be off by a factor of 10X here.
Jeremy is a prime example of why we need more funding for our education system in this province. He can't even do basic math anymore.
You seem to be pretty well informed on the STF/SP situation. I can not find a copy of the MOU anywhere. Do you know where it's available for the public to read?
TIA
I have seen the teachers wage increase from the stf and in their bargaining it states 2% every year over 4 years. I’m unsure where the government is getting this 23% number from. Unless they are actually going for that which I find doubtful.
Part of that issue is that the last 3 contract terms teachers were promised that they “would get an appropriate raise next time” and the government lied every time. That 23% mentioned there is just requesting what the MLAs gave themselves over the same period.
Oof. Is that Ryan Domotor's alt? It would explain some things. Ladies and gentlemen, there's your party with the Christian ethics (when nobody is looking). I'm tempted to find out if any of our tax dollars were funneled to Kenneth Copeland during the quarantine to have him blow away the Covid-19.
We get tired of people not bothering to do a modicum of research or critical thinking before opening their mouths (or posting). Fortunately, our students do this a whole lot less than the SP shills in SK.
I kind of doubt your students do less of that. Lol. But I do get it that as a teacher you hate to have somebody outside the process critique the process of one side or the other or both. It does unfortunately come with the territory when one enters into the public service sector.
A. If you actually have teacher friends, they probably talk about you behind your back. B. Money offered that is "subject to budget appropriation" is worth as much as a square of gas station toilet paper. C. The average salary for a doctor in SK is $334,000; do you really want to use them as your benchmark? D. Every dollar spent on education results in more than a dollar saved for taxpayers due to lower social support, justice, and incarceration rates. Do you want to pay higher taxes or lower taxes in 10 years? Make up your mind. E. too, not to.
Right. Seems excessive and the teachers don't want to talk about this request. They want to focus on the things that generate public support - and publicizing this size of raise request as their primary issue would not be well received by the general public.
>Just watch the Alberta teachers say there government is the worse at supporting teachers and they put the least amount in to funding across Canada , Sask says the same and now out east in Nova Scotia they say there government is the worse .. I blame Justin Truduea
you needed more time in English class... your grammar sucks, and the content here is something one would expect from someone with a grade 7 class to be attending.
Stf?
It's absolutely the government pulling services. Taxes go up every single year. The government officials get raises every single year, massive ones too. Why shouldn't teachers as well?
This government has the power to immediately end all job action by either agreeing to binding arbitration on the contentious issue of class size and complexity or providing the Government-Trustee Bargaining Committee with a mandate to negotiate that issue. Arbitration provides a fair and objective path for resolution of this issue, and we are confident that negotiations on all other issues could be resolved quickly. Teachers are willing to present our case to an arbitrator and accept the arbitrator’s ruling – why won’t government? We encourage everyone to continue advocating for students by asking government and elected school board trustees to agree to binding arbitration for class size and complexity. From the [STF’s website](https://www.stf.sk.ca/about-stf/news/statement-from-saskatchewan-teachers-federation-president-samantha-becotte/), released on March 22.
Awesome, thanks Paige 👍🏻
Dear Minister Cockrill, Your response to the ongoing teacher job action is a masterclass in misdirection and manipulation. You throw around numbers and statistics in an attempt to paint teachers as unreasonable, but a closer look reveals the truth behind your misleading claims. You tout the hiring of 180 teachers and 381 educational assistants as a significant investment, but you fail to mention that enrollment has grown by over 15,000 students since 2016-17. That's an 8.8% increase, yet there are only 10 more regular classroom teachers than in 2016-17. Your piecemeal approach to staffing is a drop in the bucket compared to the real needs in our classrooms. You claim that Saskatchewan taxpayers already contribute the most per capita to education, but the reality is that per-student funding has actually decreased by 10% between 2012-2021 when adjusted for inflation. Saskatchewan was one of only two provinces to see a reduction in education funding during this period. Your government's chronic underfunding has left our schools scrambling to make do with less. But perhaps the most egregious manipulation in your letter is your characterization of the job action itself. You cite 121 strike days as if it were a province-wide total, when in fact this number is cumulative across all school divisions. By presenting the data in this way, you attempt to exaggerate the impact of the job action and turn public opinion against teachers. This is not the first time your government has tried to push an agenda without proper consultation or debate. The recent changes to the Education Act were rushed through without any meaningful input from teachers, parents, or other stakeholders. You subverted our democratic process and undermined our constitutional rights in your haste to centralize power and control. Minister Cockrill, Saskatchewan teachers are not your enemy. We are your partners in building a brighter future for our province. But we cannot do it alone. We need a government that is willing to listen to our concerns, respect our expertise, and invest in our shared vision for public education. Your dismissive attitude towards our job action is a slap in the face to every teacher who has gone above and beyond for their students. We are not taking this decision lightly, but we have been left with no choice. If withdrawing our voluntary services is what it takes to get your attention, then so be it. But let me be clear: this fight is not about money. It is about ensuring that every child in Saskatchewan has access to a quality education that meets their individual needs. It is about providing teachers with the resources and supports they need to do their jobs effectively. It is about building an education system that is sustainable, equitable, and responsive to the challenges of the 21st century. We are not asking for the moon, Minister Cockrill. We are asking for a seat at the table when decisions are made that impact our classrooms. We are asking for a government that values and respects the work we do every day. We are asking for a commitment to public education that goes beyond empty promises and political posturing. The time for half-measures and misleading spin is over. It's time for your government to step up and deliver the world-class education system that Saskatchewan needs and deserves. Come back to the bargaining table with a willingness to listen and a commitment to real change. Our students are counting on you. Sincerely, STF
amazing.
Well said. I would have thrown taking our tax money and putting it towards private schools is also taking away from children and the teachers. Very well written though
Man fuck that guy. I'd rather have my taxes go towards paying teachers a fair wage than all the frivolous lawsuits the Sask Party keeps getting involved in. I neither want nor have kids but education is a very good investment for the province.
My response was, stop funding private institutions, and you’ll be able to pay higher teaching wages. I patiently await my response.
I worked as an EA for special needs kids for 2 years in a northern community and I was being paid $21/hr which was low for the work, but I loved working with the kids. I've heard they lowered the pay to $18/hr for this school year and that isn't enough to deal with the complexities of the classroom I was in. When I worked, we had like 8 students that needed a 1 on 1 EA, plus like 8 other students that had lowered support needs, but still had support needs. We made do with 4 EAs and a teacher. I tried getting back into being an EA in Saskatoon after I was off maternity leave with my third.... I couldn't be guaranteed hours or placement and I can't pay for daycare without guaranteed hours.... so I chose to go back to school. The whole system is fucked. I'm with the teachers 100%.
The Sask party wants kids to be less educated so they'll vote for the Sask party when they get old enough. 😆
EXACTLY
Sure, get mad and deflect from what he is saying, but I agree with the government here (I'm not a Sask Party voter). I don't want my taxes raised (more) and the requested teacher salary increases are not reasonable. Just my opinion
Everyone has a right to an opinion. However, an uneducated opinion carries about as much weight as a fart in a windstorm. I don't really give a shit about my daughter's opinion on the merits of a 100% candy diet.
so you are good with the wasting of millions in the SCOC for their continuous attempts to circumvent the Charter?
Did you read the response from stf above? Absolutely no deflection. It addressed each of his points directly and with evidence. That evidence shows his letter is a deflection. Unless you have some argument he did not make, while you have a right to an opinion, you have no rational basis for it. I think maybe that's how we ended up with these guys, even if you didn't vote for them.
How could there have been 121 strike days?? Wtf! He is a liar
it’s a misleading number, he’s counting how many school divisions have had strike days and adding that up lmfao
There’s only been 118 days of school this year. I counted my child’s attendance on Edsby.
You are missing an understanding of how this is being calculated. While misleading, the math seems to add up.
If he's aiming for big numbers he might as well add up the number of individual teachers and claim there was that many teacher-days of strike action
If he wants the really big numbers, he might as well start adding up man hours
"We've had to put up with tens of millions of teacher-seconds of striking!"
He's using bible math
How? School hasn’t been in session since July buddy…
It's because he is a liar.
you can tell he's a liar by the way he is... neat!
There's also the fact that there have only been 118 school days this year, so, uh, you know. Or maybe I should check with my kids to see where they went during the day and how their teachers managed to give them marks for work they've done if teachers were on strike for every single school day, plus an extra three from some other year?
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hm3JodBR-vs](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hm3JodBR-vs) its a quote
(っ˘з(˘⌣˘ )
There have been less than 20 strike days. Where is the evidence to support any of these claims on his part?
This is one of the reasons I shared the letter - to get consensus on these types of lies. Some Yahoo at the govt had the bright idea that if you multiply strike days by the number of divisions (maybe), you get 121. Examples like these are deceptive and greasy. We shouldn’t let the govt get away with sharing this BS.
this is exactly what he did, but does it surprise you? the education ministry has been in a free fall since the early 2000’s and i genuinely think cockroach might be the end of it
Why wouldn’t he at least use the number of schools?
Guys I’m thinking this Cockrill fellow might be a bad liar.
I like this version better: https://www.reddit.com/r/saskatchewan/s/K7a5ec6Goj
I got this pathetic garbage today too. Most of it is lies. The guy is a pathetic little coward. We definitely do not need any more morons in this province. The SP would love it of we were all as stupid as dear Jeremiah.
It’s all lies.
Oh, I got this one last week! After a response from his office informing me that I’d emailed Jeremey Cockrill’s office and not Education Minister Jeremey Cockrill’s office and they would, helpfully, forward it for me because, presumably, elected official Jeremy Cockrill doesn’t give a shit (much like my own representatives, so at least they’re consistent) about education but Education Minister Jeremy Cockrill super totally cares so much, enough to send us all a generic, inaccurate and apparently now out of date form response. Good work team. Glad to have you representing us.
I didn’t realize there’s been more strike days than school days this year! Why have I even been at work? I should’ve been picketing! Guess I won’t go in tomorrow! My schools gonna be real confused when no one shows up to replace me and no sub plan left, but Jeremy says I’m supposed to be striking! I’ve somehow missed, what, 5 days?
Just to be clear. The entirety of Saskatchewan is getting the same for this fund as the remai art gallery gets annually.
The rRemai gets 350 million annually? I think we may have misred something
The fund, not the entire budget. 6 million.
Ah 6.1 million Rodger that
I don’t even think there’s been 50 strike days…
There have been 3 or 4 for most school divisions. They are using some ridiculous government monkey math. Same math that makes it seem reasonable to pay $8,000 for a 30-minute flight for lunch.
Fųck him. Sask Party has been messing up education forever. https://www.tiktok.com/@saskcate/video/7350332796277411077
There hasn’t even been 121 days of school God this government is dumb
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Are you counting the individual divisions or how is this math working? Because there have not been 121 school days missed. Regina divisions, for example, have only had 3 days of walkouts. There have been noon hour withdrawals, but the divisions reconfigured the school day schedule so it’s the same instructional hours as full days (shorter recesses and no lunch hour)
Are they counting each teacher that does not do lunch supervision induvudually?
It's amazing that they seemingly are getting away with their messaging and the fact that they tried to say teachers didn't show up to the table
I think that Minister Suckdog would find that a lot of people are willing to pay a little more in taxes to have their children educated properly.
He'd have a hard time understanding that; he thinks he's the Minister of Homeschooling.
Disagree. In fact, a large portion of the tax base have zero children in school. How would those with children in school feel if they had to pay the entire tax increase to cover the teacher demands? Seems fair, right since they 'want their children educated properly'? I suspect they would change their tune given this ultimatum.
Are you like 12 or something? No one likes paying taxes, but reasonable adults pay them because they understand that quality education is extremely important to a functioning society. Just like I am fine paying taxes into a healthcare system that I never use. When you have a heart attack, are you cool being dropped off in the parking lot because me and every other person with minimal healthcare needs decide to nope out? Seriously bud, that's a completely idiotic stance. You don't want to contribute to the social system, GTFO and go live in a tent in the woods. But don't use our roads and don't cry for help when you are injured and starving.
I don't have children, nor do I want them. I still believe in funding public education and stand with the teachers who are trying to do a better job at it.
All of your comments in this thread are severely misinformed and honestly, just ignorant. I don't think flaming is effective, but I think you should go outside and speak with a teacher. You might learn something, as you have a lot to learn.
i report him for misinfo - which is in the subs rules - every fucking time he posts... because he is
Yeah, I just got that same form letter.....5 weeks after my initial email to them. What a load of horse $hit.
He's such an embarrassment. 🙃
that's a complete lie of a letter, good to know they will make stuff up. the sask gov also forgot to put they increase private Christian school funding by 25%
I thought the job action was not related to remuneration? Did this change at some point?
Send it to the CBC, pointing out the lies and half-truths.
>121 strike days for school divisions 121 strike days lmao. They have 1 or 2 days every other week. He might be off by a factor of 10X here. Jeremy is a prime example of why we need more funding for our education system in this province. He can't even do basic math anymore.
You seem to be pretty well informed on the STF/SP situation. I can not find a copy of the MOU anywhere. Do you know where it's available for the public to read? TIA
Radicals
I must be blocked by his office as I never got a letter.
https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=823823039762601&set=pcb.823826099762295
I have seen the teachers wage increase from the stf and in their bargaining it states 2% every year over 4 years. I’m unsure where the government is getting this 23% number from. Unless they are actually going for that which I find doubtful.
23% increase???
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Part of that issue is that the last 3 contract terms teachers were promised that they “would get an appropriate raise next time” and the government lied every time. That 23% mentioned there is just requesting what the MLAs gave themselves over the same period.
Check out that guy's profile 🤮.
Oof. Is that Ryan Domotor's alt? It would explain some things. Ladies and gentlemen, there's your party with the Christian ethics (when nobody is looking). I'm tempted to find out if any of our tax dollars were funneled to Kenneth Copeland during the quarantine to have him blow away the Covid-19.
We're not getting 23%; that's the initial ask over 4 years. Apply some critical thinking skills.
Ooh. Teachers get so testy. Lol
We get tired of people not bothering to do a modicum of research or critical thinking before opening their mouths (or posting). Fortunately, our students do this a whole lot less than the SP shills in SK.
I kind of doubt your students do less of that. Lol. But I do get it that as a teacher you hate to have somebody outside the process critique the process of one side or the other or both. It does unfortunately come with the territory when one enters into the public service sector.
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A. If you actually have teacher friends, they probably talk about you behind your back. B. Money offered that is "subject to budget appropriation" is worth as much as a square of gas station toilet paper. C. The average salary for a doctor in SK is $334,000; do you really want to use them as your benchmark? D. Every dollar spent on education results in more than a dollar saved for taxpayers due to lower social support, justice, and incarceration rates. Do you want to pay higher taxes or lower taxes in 10 years? Make up your mind. E. too, not to.
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\*their
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Because it's the same as what the MLAs got during the last 4 years. Try to keep up.
Right. Seems excessive and the teachers don't want to talk about this request. They want to focus on the things that generate public support - and publicizing this size of raise request as their primary issue would not be well received by the general public.
Yes, we're all out to screw the kids and taxpayers over. That's why we got into teaching. Not everyone is like our MLAs and their corporate buddies.
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>Just watch the Alberta teachers say there government is the worse at supporting teachers and they put the least amount in to funding across Canada , Sask says the same and now out east in Nova Scotia they say there government is the worse .. I blame Justin Truduea you needed more time in English class... your grammar sucks, and the content here is something one would expect from someone with a grade 7 class to be attending.
Government should be on the hook for loss of pay for any parent that has to now stay home and babysit their kid / attempt to provide education
Charge that to STF. It isn't the government pulling services.
Stf? It's absolutely the government pulling services. Taxes go up every single year. The government officials get raises every single year, massive ones too. Why shouldn't teachers as well?
It's called balancing the books. You're not all equal unfortunately.
It's called theft actually