Head of Alberta teacher bargaining resigns as consent order narrows dispute to 3 key issues
Posted Sep 18, 2025 7:39 pm.
Last Updated Sep 19, 2025 12:03 pm.
The head of bargaining for the Alberta Teacher’s Association (ATA) has resigned his position after a meeting with the government amid the possibility of a strike.
In a post to social media Thursday evening, Peter MacKay reiterated an email he sent to the ATA Provincial Executive Council: “I’m just writing to let you know that I am resigning as CTBC chair effective immediately,” he wrote. “Thank you for the opportunity to serve in this role.
“I was hoping to see things through to the end of this round of bargaining, but I don’t see a path to doing so at this point.”
This came just hours after news the Alberta government and the ATA had resolved a labour board complaint, narrowing the scope of their ongoing contract negotiations to three specific issues.
Following a resolution conference at the Alberta Labour Relations Board (LRB), a consent order was issued to settle the unfair labour practice complaint filed by the Teachers’ Employer Bargaining Association (TEBA) against the ATA.
Finance Minister Nate Horner says the consent order confirms that only three items remain under negotiation:
- Timing for implementation of the unified salary grid
- ATA’s proposal for a 1.5% annual long service allowance for teachers at the top of the grid
- Coverage of COVID-19 vaccination
Horner emphasized that the consent order clarifies that classroom complexity, class size, and student supports are not part of the current bargaining discussions.
“Alberta’s government has already addressed these concerns through our current offer, which would add 3,000 more teachers to classrooms,” Horner said. “In addition, Budget 2025 invested $1.6 billion to support diverse learning needs and complexity in classrooms. This includes $53 million for classroom complexity grants.”
The ATA had previously accused the government of stalling negotiations and misrepresenting its bargaining position.
The union had set a strike date of Oct. 6, citing unresolved issues around working conditions and compensation.
