Labour Update

Last Updated: September 25, 2025

TEBA and ATA Announce Tentative Agreement

The Teachers' Employer Bargaining Association (TEBA) and the Alberta Teachers’ Association (ATA) announced today that they have signed a Memorandum of Agreement. ATA members will vote on the tentative agreement from September 27 to 29. We anticipate knowing the results shortly after. If the membership ratifies the agreement, the final step in the process will happen when TEBA also approves it on October 1. 


What This Means for GSACRD Students, Families, and Staff

  • If ATA members and TEBA vote in favour, there will be no strike and no disruption to teaching and learning.
  • If ATA members or TEBA vote against the agreement, the strike notice will remain in place, and the strike will begin on Monday, October 6.

GSACRD values the essential role that teachers and all staff play in our school communities. Our Division also respects the collective bargaining process, and we remain hopeful that an agreement can be reached without disruption to teaching and learning. 

Classes are continuing as usual. Students should come to school as they normally do.


If ATA members or TEBA vote to reject the agreement and the strike moves ahead on Monday, October 6:

Based on the information shared when the strike notice was provided, we expect a full province-wide strike at all schools. This means that if an agreement is not reached:

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

We understand this creates uncertainty for families. Please plan for childcare and daily schedules. If your child attends a childcare program that rents space in a GSACRD school, that program may still be open. Please check with your provider directly. 

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.


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.

We will update this page as new information becomes available. Families will also receive direct communication from the Division and their school. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Are schools open right now? 

Yes. Students should continue attending school as they normally would. Teachers and staff are still at school, and classes are operating as usual. We will share more information with families if an agreement is not reached by Monday, October 6. 

Will schools close 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.

What happens if a full strike begins? 

If job action results in a full withdrawal of teaching services across Alberta: 

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

We encourage families to begin planning for alternate arrangements. 

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. 

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.  

Families are encouraged to contact their childcare provider directly. 

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. 

The GSACRD Labour Update webpage will be updated as new information becomes available.