Quote:
Originally Posted by Mr.Coffee
The salaries Gullfoss posted aren’t that great. IMO. It also depends on where you live. I think the poverty line wage for a family of 4 in Calgary is like $60k now (I think 2024 was like $58k). Like, no, those salaries are okay, but let’s not pretend they’re swimming in money here. The benefits and specifically the pension are great, however. Just my opinion. I don’t really want or require teachers personally to be just barely above the poverty line.
I also think this is actually largely about salaries and think it’s weird people tip-toe around it. That’s the main issue, it isn’t enough, the gov will have to do better. Paying parents daycare money that could otherwise go to teachers is stupid.
Gullfoss wants an answer but nobody here is really knowledgeable enough about the job to give one, honestly. Unless you’re a teacher in which case I think it’s fair to be like ya- it isn’t enough.
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I can tell you with a high degree of certainty that the main issues keeping the teachers from halting a strike go far beyond salary. I'm close to many educators from different circles, and I can tell you that even though salaries remain a concern, it is not a bridge too far to gap in the current offer, and is likely number 3 on the list of main issues.
1. AB is the only province without classroom caps. Let that sink in. Kids are literally learning in hallways, gyms, libraries in many schools around the province. Learning is being compromised and it is totally unacceptable. Make an actual build commitment and impose a cap on sizes.
2. AB funds students to the tune of $3.50/student/day when the national average is $10/student/day. Let that sink in. This is restricting school boards abilities to hire more teachers and EAs to support crowded classrooms and handle complexities that continue to grow. It is not uncommon for a class of 35 students to have 15 -20 coded kids. Commit to hiring more than 1 new teacher per school and increase funding per student to something far less disgusting so every class can have access to aids and additional support for students in need.
3. AB Salaries still lag under this proposal and are at or below most new deals around the Western provinces. This while other provinces have much better classroom conditions with the above more adequately addressed. Build off the current increase and offer more upfront to make up for lost wages over the last decade.
We all need to demand more from our government whether it is health care, education or other services that are non-negotiable for maintaining a productive, educated and healthy population. If a month of pain here means our kids end up with a far better situation it will be worth it, but people need to make sure they don't let Smith and her government off the hook on this one. There is far too much at stake if conditions don't improve and more and more teachers and students start falling through the cracks of a depleted system.