EDMONTON — Alberta teachers are poised to be locked out Thursday as a province-wide labour dispute escalates between the Alberta Teachers’ Association and the government’s bargaining arm.
The Teachers’ Employer Bargaining Association (TEBA) issued a lockout notice to the ATA on Oct. 6, to take effect Thursday, Oct. 9 at 1 p.m.
In a statement, the government described the lockout as a routine measure in response to strike action.
“This is a routine process employers use in response to unions going on strike, which the ATA did on Oct. 6,” the statement said. It added: “The lockout will begin Oct. 9 at 1 p.m.”
Government officials said the move aims to bring predictability and stability for students, noting that earlier rotating strikes by educational assistants had caused uncertainty for families and school divisions.
They also said that if the ATA continues to remove teachers from classrooms, the lockout would not alter that status quo. TEBA said it remains committed to bargaining in good faith and expects the ATA to seek a fair deal for teachers, school boards and students.
ATA president Jason Schilling said the lockout notice was expected, characterizing it as a predictable response to the union’s decision to strike.
“The government’s lockout was expected, as it’s a response to teachers going on strike,” he said. “The Alberta Teachers’ Association and government officials remain in talks.”
The ATA represents about 51,000 teachers across Alberta and advocates for public education, professional practice and improved conditions for educators.
With the impending school closure, the provincial government has unveiled several supports for parents and students.
A free parent toolkit will offer weekly resources aligned with the K-12 curriculum to assist independent learning, though it is optional and intended to supplement existing school-provided materials.
The province provided a video to walk parents through the process:
The parent payment program is expected to open Oct. 14, allowing eligible parents or guardians of students aged 12 and under to receive $30 per child per day for the duration of the labour action, retroactive to Oct. 6. Payments will be made by e-transfer beginning Oct. 31.
To ease child-care pressures, the province will raise subsidy rates for eligible children in Grades 1 to 6 attending licensed out-of-school care full time, after five consecutive days of strike.
The temporary top rate will reach $644. Out-of-school care programs may extend hours during the closure, though they are not required to do so.
For older students, distance learning through independent schools is available, and families may opt for home education under supervision of an independent school, with access to up to 50 per cent of the home education grant.
Additionally, Alberta’s heritage sites and museums will offer free admission to youth aged 18 and under while the labour action continues.
The teachers’ strike began Oct. 6 after contract talks between the ATA and TEBA broke down. Both parties say they remain at the negotiating table and are committed to reaching a new collective agreement.
