ATA Strike to Begin October 6th

For information on how this will impact school operations, click below.

Labour Action Updates

Labour Action Updates

Division

ATA Strike to Begin October 6th

Update – September 29, 2025
The Alberta Teachers’ Association (ATA) has completed its ratification process.

  • Ratification results:
    • Yes: 10.5%
    • No: 89.5%

As a result, the Memorandum of Agreement is not ratified by teachers.

What this means for families:
The ATA will commence a full strike beginning Monday, October 6, 2025. This strike will apply to all school sites across the Division.

Impact on School Operations

Effective Monday, October 6, 2025:

  • Kindergarten to Grade 12: All classes will be suspended.
  • Pre-Kindergarten programming: Will continue as scheduled.
  • Transportation services (K–12): Will be suspended.
  • Extracurricular activities: Suspended for the duration of the job action.

We recognize this creates challenges for families and encourage you to make contingency arrangements for childcare and household planning.

Sturgeon Public’s Role

  • Sturgeon Public School Division is not directly involved in negotiations.
  • Teacher salaries and working conditions are set through provincial collective agreements, not individual school boards.
  • The Teachers’ Employer Bargaining Association (TEBA) represents the Government of Alberta and all public, separate, and Francophone school boards, including Sturgeon Public, in this process.
  • TEBA has applied for and received authority for a lockout vote as a response measure to strike action. This does not have an immediate effect on operations.

Positions Impacted

  • Teachers
  • Substitute Teachers
  • Principals and Vice Principals
  • Central Office Staff who are ATA Members:
    • Division Principal
    • Director of Learning Services
    • Director of Education
    • Coordinator, Curriculum
    • Coordinator, Indigenous Education

Timeline

  • September 29, 2025
    • ATA completes ratification vote. Agreement rejected by teachers (Yes: 10.5%, No: 89.5%). Full strike action will commence beginning October 6, 2025.
  • September 24, 2025
    • The ATA and the Teachers’ Employer Bargaining Association (TEBA) reached a tentative agreement based on shared priorities. Members will vote on the agreement in the coming days. 
  • September 18, 2025
    • TEBA and the ATA met in a Labour Relations Board resolution conference to discuss TEBA’s unfair labour practice complaint. The parties were able to reach a consent order, which reflects an agreement by the parties to resolve the complaint.
  • September 15, 2025
    • Alberta Labour Relations Board receives bad faith bargaining complaint from the Teachers' Employer Bargaining Association (TEBA) affecting The Alberta Teachers' Association (ATA). 
  • September 12, 2025
    • Sturgeon Public Schools receives official strike notice from the Alberta Teachers’ Association (ATA), through the Teachers’ Employer Bargaining Association (TEBA)
  • September 10, 2025
    • ATA announces intention to begin strike action on October 6, 2025, if no settlement is reached.
  • September 2, 2025
    • TEBA's lockout vote was validated by the Labour Relations Board.
  • August 29, 2025 (late afternoon)
    • Lockout poll results will be filed with the Alberta Labour Relations Board (ALRB) by TEBA. 
  • August 26-29, 2025
    • Formal mediation between TEBA and the ATA is continuing. 
  • August 5, 2025
    • Application for lockout poll filed by TEBA. Lockout authority ensures that TEBA and school boards have the ability to respond to strike action that can make it challenging for school boards to protect students and families.
  • Summer 2025
    • TEBA and ATA have additional meetings scheduled, as needed. 
  • June 10, 2025
    • ATA reported that 94.5% of members voted in favour of strike action. The ATA has 120 days from the date of the vote to commence labour action, unless a resolution is reached between TEBA and the ATA. 
  • June 5-8, 2025
    • ATA holds a strike vote. 
  • May 28, 2025
    • ATA announces the results of the Strike Authorization Vote.  ATA reported that 99.45% of those participating in the vote voted in favour of authorizing the ATA to apply for an official strike vote.
  • May 22-26, 2025
    • A strike authorization vote was held by the ATA.
  • May 2-5, 2025
    • ATA members voted on the mediator’s recommendation.  The ATA voted against the mediator’s recommendation. A 14-day cooling-off period begins.
  • March 28, 2025
  • January-March 2025
    • TEBA and ATA began mediation on January 15, 2024.  TEBA and ATA continued with mediation on January 16, 17 and January 29, 30 and again on March 19, 20, 2025.
  • November 14, 2024
    • Mediator appointed. 
  • May 16, 2024
    • Central negotiations commenced. (Teachers' Employer Bargaining Association (TEBA))  with ATA.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an ATA strike?

An ATA strike involves employees represented by the Alberta Teachers’ Association stopping work to negotiate changes to their collective agreement. In schools, this includes teachers, principals, vice principals, and select central office staff.

How long will the strike last?

The length of the strike cannot be predicted. Both the ATA and TEBA will continue to work towards a resolution.

Will my child still be able to attend school?

As of now, we know that on October 6, 2025, there will be a full strike. All K–12 classes will be suspended, schools will be closed, and transportation and extracurricular activities will also be suspended.

Beyond October 6, the situation could change. If the ATA continues with a full strike, schools will remain closed and all related services will remain suspended. However, the strike could also shift to different forms of job action, such as rotating strikes or “work-to-rule.”

At this time, we cannot predict how or when the strike could evolve. Families should be prepared for changes, and we will provide updates as soon as new information is confirmed.

How will I be notified about school closures or changes?

Updates will be sent through SchoolMessenger, email, and posted on our Division and school websites. Please ensure your contact information is current.

Where can I find the latest information?

This webpage will be updated regularly with the most current details.

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