Labour Action 2025
Posted on:Update, Oct. 1, 2025
Important Notice: School Closures Due to Strike Action, Begins October 6, 2025
The Alberta Teachers’ Association (ATA) has provided notice that strike action will begin on Monday, October 6, 2025. If this occurs, all schools in Battle River School Division will be closed to students, and no instruction will be taking place during the strike.
Please be aware that:
- Classes will not be held and teachers will not be available for instruction.
- No student supervision will be provided, including on school grounds and playgrounds, during regular school hours or after hours. For safety reasons, we strongly encourage families to ensure that children do not access school playgrounds during the school day without supervision in place.
- Students who arrive at school will not be permitted to stay. Parents/Guardians will be contacted immediately to pick up their child.
- We will do our best to keep you informed with timely updates regarding the status of the strike and will communicate promptly when classes are scheduled to resume.
We understand that this situation may cause challenges for families, and we appreciate your patience and understanding as we work through this process.
For the most current information, please continue to monitor your email, our division website, and official social media channels.
The Alberta Government has provided resources and information to support families.
—————————————————————————————————————————
Update, Sept. 26, 2025
Tentative Agreement Reached Between TEBA and ATA
The Teachers’ Employer Bargaining Association (TEBA) and the Alberta Teachers’ Association (ATA) have signed a Memorandum of Agreement. ATA members will cast their votes on this tentative deal between September 27 and 29, with results expected shortly after. If the membership supports the agreement, TEBA will give its final approval on October 1.
What This Means for Battle River School Division Families, Students, and Staff
- If both ATA members and TEBA ratify the agreement, there will be no strike action, and learning will continue without disruption.
- If either group rejects the agreement, the existing strike notice will remain in effect, with a province-wide strike beginning on Monday, October 6.
Battle River School Division recognizes the vital contributions of teachers and all staff to our students and our school communities. We respect the collective bargaining process and remain hopeful that this tentative deal will be finalized, ensuring stability for students and families. At this time, classes are running as usual, and students should continue attending school as normal.
If the Strike Proceeds on October 6
Should the agreement be voted down and a strike begins:
- All classes will be cancelled for students both in person and online. Homework will not be assigned or reviewed by teachers.
- There will be no teaching, supervision, or extracurricular programming.
We understand this situation creates uncertainty for families. Please begin making arrangements for childcare or alternate plans for your daily routines in case of a strike.
We will continue to monitor the situation closely and provide updates as new information becomes available.
—————————————————————————————————————————
Update, Sept. 12, 2025
We have been informed that the Alberta Teachers’ Association (ATA) has given notice of a province-wide strike to begin on October 6, 2025, if a settlement is not reached.
The central bargaining process occurs at the provincial level between the Teachers’ Employer Bargaining Association (TEBA), which represents school boards and the Government of Alberta, and the ATA. This means that items like teacher salaries are negotiated through the provincial collective agreement, and BRSD is not directly involved in these negotiations.
What Happens Next?
For now, in Battle River School Division, classes and extracurricular activities are continuing as usual.
We remain hopeful that TEBA and the ATA are able to conclude the bargaining process as soon as possible so that a new collective agreement can be reached before October 6, 2025.
Should a settlement not be reached before October 6, 2025, all schools would be closed to students on October 6, 2025. You are encouraged to start making alternate arrangements for your children should teachers go on strike.
We will continue to provide more updates as information becomes available.
—————————————————————————————————————————
Update for Families
Preparing for the 2025–26 School Year
Earlier in June, the Alberta Teachers’ Association (ATA) shared that 94.5% of participating members supported a strike mandate. At this stage, Battle River School Division (BRSD) continues its regular preparations for classes to begin on Tuesday, September 2, 2025.
We recognize that conversations around possible labour action may create uncertainty for students and families. BRSD will provide timely updates through this page and direct communication whenever new details are confirmed.
Next Steps in the Process
- Before any strike that affects the school day can occur, the ATA must give school divisions a minimum of 72 hours’ notice.
- The union has a 120-day window to start job action, unless an agreement is reached between the ATA and the Teachers’ Employer Bargaining Association (TEBA).
Our Division values every employee’s role in supporting student learning, and we respect the collective bargaining process that takes place at the provincial level.
How Bargaining with the ATA Works
Negotiations involving salaries and other major employment matters happen between TEBA and the ATA at the provincial table. These issues are not determined locally by school divisions. Once provincial bargaining concludes, BRSD will then begin local discussions with our ATA representatives.
We are hopeful that TEBA and the ATA can work toward a resolution soon, allowing for a new collective agreement to be reached with minimal disruption.
About the ATA
The Alberta Teachers’ Association represents more than 46,000 certificated educators in the province. Within BRSD, ATA members include teachers, substitute teachers, principals, and assistant principals, all belonging to their local bargaining unit.
About TEBA
The Teachers’ Employer Bargaining Association (TEBA) represents all Alberta school boards when negotiating major items like teacher pay and benefits with the Alberta Teachers’ Association. Once that provincial process is done, BRSD then works with its own ATA local on division-specific matters.
— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —
Update for Staff
Letter to Support Staff and Bus Drivers: Aug. 29, 2025
—————————————————————————————————————————
Q&A: In the event of a strike on Monday, October 6, 2025
Q: Are schools closed?
A: Schools are closed starting Monday, October 6, 2025. Students will not attend school in person or online. There will be no instruction, supervision, or extracurricular activities, including athletic team functions (practices, games, tournaments). Student transportation services are also suspended until the strike is over. Students should take home their personal belongings, such as gym clothes/shoes, food, medications, etc. If they wish to take home their learning materials, they are welcome to do so. No school-owned technology devices are to be taken home.
Q: Can I contact my child’s teacher or the school office during the strike?
A: Teachers will not be responding to emails or inquiries sent/received through other platforms during the strike. Parents are welcome to reach out to the division office for urgent matters at 780-672-6131 or by email at inquiries@brsd.ab.ca. All relevant information will be shared with families via email and shared on the division website.
Q: What is BRSD’s role in the negotiation process?
A: Battle River School Division is not directly involved in this phase of teacher bargaining at the provincial level, and maintains a positive relationship with The Alberta Teachers’ Association (ATA) representing Alberta’s teachers, and The Teachers’ Employer Bargaining Association (TEBA).
Q: Are the Provincial Achievement Tests cancelled?
A: We will be waiting on Alberta Education's direction for this; if there is a change to the PAT schedule, we will notify families.
Q: Are the diploma examinations cancelled?
A: We will be waiting on Alberta Education's direction for this; if there is a change to the diploma exam schedule, we will notify families.
Q: Will school-based extracurricular activities and sports continue as scheduled?
A: All extracurricular activities such as field trips, awards ceremonies, school council meetings, and others, will be paused for reconsideration at a future time. Fine Arts rehearsals, student clubs, sports competitions, practices, tournaments, and games will be suspended.
Q: How will my child be supported during the strike with learning? Are teachers providing resources? Can students take textbooks home?
A: Resources assigned to individual students may be taken home. Teachers will not be programming for students during the strike. Alberta Education has created a toolkit for parents, with materials available on the Learn Alberta website. These materials have not been assessed by BRSD staff and our board was not consulted in their creation, thus we cannot comment on them.
Q: Will principals and assistant principals be in school during the strike?
A: In Alberta, principals and assistant principals are full ATA members in the collective agreement, and will be on strike.
Q: If there are staff working in the building during the strike, is there access to the building for parents/students?
A: Parents and students will not have access to the schools during the strike.
Q: Will Off-Campus programs be available for high school students?
A : Dual Credit (Olds College and NorQuest College), Work Experience, Registered Apprenticeship Program (RAP), and Green Certificate will stop during a teacher strike, as teachers supervise these programs. Students may continue working for an employer if the employer wants to employ them, but no credit hours can be earned.
Q: Do the students still have access to their BRSD accounts/emails?
A: Yes.
Q: Are the Google Classrooms still open?
A: Yes.
Q: If the Google Classrooms are still open, can teachers put a bunch of assignments on now or schedule assignments to be released during the strike?
A: Some teachers may have already posted assignments; however, new material will not be added. Please note that no student assessments will be conducted during the strike, and teachers will not be monitoring or marking any work that is completed during the strike.
Q: Who will be monitoring the Google Classrooms? (Student chats or conversations?)
A: Teachers will not be monitoring Google Classrooms.
Q: Can my child bring home resources? Textbooks, Chromebooks, etc.
A: Students can bring home their books and textbooks, but not Chromebooks.
Q: Since E.A.s are working and in the school, why can't they work with my students?
A: EAs work under the direction of teachers and the principal. EAs cannot deliver curriculum. During strike action, EAs cannot supervise the learning of children without a teacher.
Q: If an E.A. usually supports my kid, can they at least still work online with my child?
A: Schools are closed and will not be providing support or instruction during the strike.
Q: What should my student be doing during this time?
A: Students can review their previous work and also access resources created on the Government of Alberta website, where there are 2 weeks of learning activities created for students to engage in grade and subject-specific learning activities. Students are encouraged to read as much as possible.
Q: Will students be held back a grade if this lasts any amount of time?
A: A plan will be put in place to support students in completing their grade-level curriculum upon their return.
Q: How are you supporting students in learning?
A: No instruction will be taking place during the strike. Students will be supported in their learning upon return to the classroom.