This webpage is your main source for updates during any potential labour action.
We are committed to keeping families and staff informed through this site and via email. Please check back regularly for the latest information.
The Alberta Teachers’ Association (ATA) and the Teachers’ Employer Bargaining Association (TEBA) are currently in provincial bargaining. Buffalo Trail Public Schools is not directly involved in this process.
We deeply value our dedicated staff and their contributions to student learning. Buffalo Trail Public Schools respects the bargaining process and remains hopeful that the provincial government and the ATA will reach a negotiated agreement.
The Alberta Teachers’ Association (ATA) has voted against ratifying the tentative agreement with the Teachers’ Employer Bargaining Association (TEBA). As a result, a province-wide strike will begin on Monday, October 6, 2025, at 12:01 a.m.
Teachers represented by the Alberta Teachers’ Association (ATA) are now on strike.
During the strike:
- All classes will be cancelled. Students will not attend school in person or online.
- Families will need to make childcare arrangements in preparation for Monday, October 6.
- There will be no instruction, supervision, or extracurricular activities during the strike.
- Teachers, principals, and assistant principals are members of the ATA and will participate in the strike.
- Teachers will not be providing instruction, homework packages, or learning materials prior to or during the strike.
- Teachers, principals, and assistant principals will not be replying to emails during this time.
- There will be no transportation. Please do not send your children to the bus stop.
- Childcare programs that access space in BTPS schools may still operate. Please check directly with your provider.
- Central Office staff will continue to work and provide updates as more information becomes available.
Supports for Families
The Government of Alberta has announced supports for families during the strike. Visit alberta.ca/parent-supports-during-school-closure for details.
Staying Informed
We will continue to share updates by email and on our division website. Please check our Labour Action Updates page regularly for the latest information.
We know this situation is challenging and disruptive for families. Buffalo Trail Public Schools deeply values the care and expertise of our teachers and staff, and we remain hopeful that a fair settlement will be reached.
Buffalo Trail Public Schools is not involved at this stage of negotiations.
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.
October 6, 2025
In response to the province-wide strike by the ATA, TEBA issued a reactive lockout that will begin on October 9, 2025, at 1:00 p.m.
September 29, 2025
ATA completes ratification vote. Agreement rejected by ATA members. (Yes: 10.5%, No: 89.5%).
September 24, 2025
TEBA and the ATA announced today they have signed a Memorandum of Agreement. ATA membership will vote to ratify the tentative agreement from Saturday, September 27 to Monday, September 29, 2025.
September 12, 2025
The ATA served formal notice to TEBA that teachers may commence strike action on October 6, 2025 at 12:01 am if a settlement is not reached.
September 10, 2025
ATA announces intention to begin strike action on October 6, 2025, if no settlement is reached.
August 26-29, 2025
Formal mediation between TEBA and the ATA is continuing.
June 10, 2025
The ATA releases supervised strike vote results. Alberta Teachers have voted 94.5% in favour of labour action. Source
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
A mediator issued a set of recommended settlement terms.
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. TEBA with ATA.
- Teachers
- Substitute Teachers
- Principals and Assistant Principals
Division Communication
The vote is complete for the Alberta Teachers’ Association (ATA) as part of the ratification process between the ATA and the Teachers’ Employer Bargaining Association (TEBA).
ATA members have rejected the tentative agreement. As a result, the ATA has indicated it will begin strike action on Monday, October 6, 2025.
Although the exact nature of the labour action can change, it is understood that the ATA will be initiating full strike action, effective October 6. If this takes place, then all Buffalo Trail Public Schools will be closed to students beginning October 6 until further notice. Families are encouraged to begin planning alternate care arrangements for their children.
For now, regularly scheduled operations and learning will continue this week.
What This Means for Families
It is important to note that Buffalo Trail Public Schools is not a participant in this provincial bargaining process. Central negotiations take place between the Government of Alberta, through TEBA, and the ATA. Like all Alberta school divisions, BTPS must now prepare for the impact of this decision and ensure families are informed.
If a Strike Begins on October 6:
- All teachers, Principals, and Assistant Principals will be on strike and not at work.
- No students will attend school.
- This is not a move to at-home learning. Student instruction will pause for the duration of the strike.
Our Commitment
We understand that labour action is concerning and a disruption to families. We are closely monitoring the situation and are committed to updating families as soon as information becomes available. Families can also find the latest information on our Labour Action Updates page.
We value the expertise and dedication of our teachers and all staff members. We remain hopeful that the ATA and the provincial government can reach a negotiated settlement that supports students, staff, and families. Thank you for your partnership in education, and thank you to all of our staff teams for their continued commitment to student engagement, support, and success.
Buffalo Trail Public Schools will continue to share updates directly with families and our communities as new information becomes available.
On September 12, 2025, the Alberta Teachers’ Association (ATA) provided formal notice to the Teachers’ Employer Bargaining Association (TEBA) that teachers across Alberta will commence strike action on Monday, October 6, 2025 at 12:01 am, if a settlement is not reached before that date.
While this notice sets a potential strike date, the ATA has also confirmed its continued commitment to bargaining. Discussions between the ATA and TEBA are ongoing, and there is still opportunity for an agreement to be reached before any job action begins.
At this time, all Buffalo Trail Public Schools remain open and operating as normal. We will continue to monitor the situation closely and share updates as more information becomes available.
For the latest information, please visit our BTPS Labour Relations webpage.
Buffalo Trail Public Schools (BTPS) would like to provide the BTPS community with an update on the provincial collective bargaining process between the Alberta Teachers’ Association (ATA) and the Alberta Government via the Teachers’ Employer Bargaining Association (TEBA).
Today, the President of the ATA announced that teachers in Alberta will commence strike action on October 6, 2025, if a negotiated settlement is not reached by that time. The ATA did not clarify the nature of the potential strike.
At this time, no strike action has been confirmed, and all Buffalo Trail Public Schools remain open. BTPS deeply values our dedicated staff and the important contributions they make to student learning and success. We respect the bargaining process and remain hopeful that the ATA, the provincial government and TEBA will reach a negotiated agreement.
We will continue to monitor the situation closely and provide timely updates to staff and families as more information becomes available. Updates will also be posted on our Labour Relations webpage.
For the latest information directly from each party involved in bargaining, families may visit:
Alberta Teachers’ Association News: https://teachers.ab.ca/news
Government of Alberta News: https://www.alberta.ca/news
We appreciate your understanding and support as this provincial process continues.