Labour Disruption Information

Last Updated: October 14, 2025

Strike & Lockout: Classes Cancelled Until Further Notice

The Alberta Teachers’ Association (ATA) began a legal strike on October 6, 2025. On the same day, the Teachers’ Employer Bargaining Association (TEBA) issued a lockout notice effective Thursday, October 9.

For families, there is no change between the strike and the lockout. Classes are cancelled until further notice. 

During a lockout:

  • Students will not attend school in person or online.
  • There is no instruction, supervision, or extracurricular programming at schools.
  • Yellow school bus transportation is not operating. Do not send your children to the bus stop.
  • Teachers will not be providing homework packages or learning materials during the strike.
  • Non-teaching staff continue to report to work as usual.

TEBA Lockout

lockout is a legal action under Alberta’s Labour Relations Code. It means that teachers, principals, and assistant principals who are members of the ATA cannot return to work until an agreement is reached. 

TEBA has stated that this action is intended to provide predictability for families and help bring the labour dispute to a timely resolution.

GSACRD is not involved in the bargaining process. Negotiations occur at the provincial level between the ATA and TEBA.

Next Steps

We recognize the challenges labour disruption brings for students, families, and staff. It affects daily routines, learning, and childcare. 

GSACRD values the essential role that teachers play in our school communities. We continue to pray for a swift and respectful resolution so that teaching and learning can resume without further disruption. We will continue to communicate directly by email and update this webpage as soon as new information is available.

Are You Receiving SchoolMessenger Messages?

To receive important updates from the Division and your child’s school, please ensure you are subscribed to SchoolMessenger. If you are not receiving emails, contact your school office.

Supports from the Government of Alberta

The Government of Alberta has announced supports for families during labour disruption. To register for the Parent Payment Program, you will need your child's Alberta Student Number (ASN). Click here for information on how to find it in PowerSchool.

The following letters from Demetrios Nicolaides, Minister of Education and Childcare, detail the available options.

View the letters:

For full details, visit alberta.ca/parent-supports-during-school-closure.

Frequently Asked Questions

About the Bargaining Process

What is our role in the bargaining process?

In Alberta, teacher bargaining is currently happening centrally at the provincial level. It is a process between:

  • The Alberta Teachers’ Association (ATA): representing Alberta’s teachers, and
  • The Teachers’ Employer Bargaining Association (TEBA): representing the Government of Alberta and all public, separate, and Francophone school divisions.

A central bargaining process means that items such as teacher salaries and benefits are determined through the provincial collective agreement, rather than through individual school boards. Local bargaining can only begin once this process has been completed.

What happens if an agreement is reached before Monday?

If an agreement is reached and the strike is averted, classes will continue as usual. Families will be notified through GSACRD's website, an email through SchoolMessenger, and a phone message.

Impact on Classes and Instruction

Will there be classes on Monday, October 6? 

If ATA members or TEBA vote against the tentative agreement, a province-wide strike is expected to begin on Monday, October 6. This means:

  • All classes will be cancelled.
  • Students will not attend school in person or online.
  • There will be no instruction, supervision, or extracurricular activities.

We will notify families immediately if a strike is confirmed. Please begin planning for alternate arrangements.

Will my child’s teacher be available during the strike?

No. Teachers, principals, and assistant principals are members of the Alberta Teachers’ Association and will not be available once job action begins. Teachers will not be providing instruction, homework packages, or learning materials during the strike. 

Will my child’s teacher provide work during the strike?

No. If a province-wide teachers’ strike begins on Monday, October 6, teachers will not be providing instruction, homework packages, or learning materials.

Will online learning be available?

No. There will be no in-person or online instruction during the strike.

Will my child still have access to their student accounts, including Google Classroom?

Yes. Students will still be able to log in to their accounts and access platforms like Google Classroom. However, teachers will not be posting new content or responding to messages during the strike.

School Operations During a Strike

Are principals and assistant principals part of the strike?

Yes. Principals, assistant principals, and teachers are members of the ATA and will participate in the strike. They will not be available once job action begins.

How should families prepare for a strike?

To prepare for the possibility of a teacher strike, families are encouraged to make alternate childcare arrangements as needed. If your child attends a childcare program located in a GSACRD school, please check directly with the provider to confirm whether it will remain open. On Friday, October 3, ensure your child brings home any personal items or learning materials they may need in case classes are cancelled.

If classes are cancelled due to a full strike, will schools provide childcare during the day? 

No. If job action results in classes being cancelled, students will not attend school in person or online. GSACRD does not operate childcare services. 

Some schools lease space to independent childcare providers. These providers are separate from the Division and make their own decisions. GSACRD will honour existing leases, which means that some providers may continue to offer services during a strike. 

Will bus service be running during the strike?

No. Yellow buses will not be operating during the strike. Families are asked not to have children wait for buses, as service will be suspended until further notice.

Extracurricular and Academies

What does this mean for school athletics and other after-school clubs?

If the teacher strike begins on Monday, October 6, all extracurricular activities will be cancelled. This includes school athletics such as practices, games, tournaments, and other school-organized events. Teachers and school administrators who are members of the Alberta Teachers’ Association will not be available to supervise or coordinate these activities during the strike. As a result, athletics and clubs will not continue while job action is underway.

What will happen to sports and recreation academies?

Academy instruction will pause during a strike. Teachers and coaches will not be available to lead classes.

Will families be reimbursed for missed sports academy classes?

If academy classes are missed due to the strike, fees may be adjusted depending on the duration of the strike.

Will school fees for extracurricular activities and other expenses be adjusted due to the strike?

Each school budgets its activities differently. Some teams or clubs may have already used a portion of their fees before October 6, and others may continue activities after the strike ends. Activities will be reviewed, and it will be determined if fee adjustments are appropriate.

What will happen to High School and Junior High athletics?

All athletics will pause during a full strike. This includes practices, games, tournaments, and other school-organized events.

What about field trips and out-of-town trips?

All school-organized trips will be cancelled during the strike.

Assessments and Exams

Will diploma exams or other assessments be affected?

This will depend on the duration of the strike. Direction regarding provincial assessments, including diploma exams, will come from the Government of Alberta. Families will be informed if any changes are announced.

Family Supports

What supports are available for families during the strike?

The Government of Alberta has announced a parent payment program and made learning resources available to support parents. Families with children aged 12 and under may receive $30 per child for each day of the strike. Payments will be retroactive to October 6 and sent by e-transfer starting October 31. Parents must have a verified Alberta.ca Account to apply. Only one parent/guardian per child may apply. Visit alberta.ca/parent-supports-during-school-closure for details.

Click here to view the letter to parents from Demetrios Nicolaides, Minister of Education and Childcare.

Communication and Updates

How will families know if the strike is happening?

Because a last-minute agreement is still possible, families are asked to check for updates before sending children to school on Monday, October 6. If new information becomes available, GSACRD will send an email update over the weekend. 

How will families be informed of updates? 

Families will receive updates through SchoolMessenger emails from both the Division and your child’s school. If you are not receiving these messages, please contact your school office to confirm your subscription. 

Provincial Bargaining Timeline

GSACRD is not directly involved in the bargaining process. Negotiations occur at the provincial level between the ATA and TEBA. The previous contract expired in August 2024. 

October 9, 2025
ATA members are locked out following a notice issued by TEBA.

October 6, 2025
Teachers begin a province-wide strike.
Classes in GSACRD are cancelled.
TEBA issues lockout notice for ATA members beginning October 10.

September 29, 2025
ATA announces that teachers have rejected the tentative agreement.
ATA confirms the strike will begin on October 6.

September 27-29, 2025
ATA members vote on the tentative agreement.

September 24, 2025
ATA and the Teachers’ Employer Bargaining Association (TEBA) reach a tentative agreement.
A Memorandum of Agreement is signed, but the strike notice remains in effect until teachers vote.

September 12, 2025
ATA serves official strike notice.

September 10, 2025
ATA announces that a strike will begin on October 6 if a new agreement is not reached.

June 5-8, 2025
Teachers vote in favour of strike action.
ATA has 120 days to serve official strike notice.