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.
This means all Buffalo Trail Public Schools will be closed to students starting Monday, October 6, until further notice.
During the strike:
All classes are cancelled. Students will not attend school in person or online.
Families will need to make childcare arrangements in preparation for October 6.
There will be no instruction, supervision, homework packages, extracurricular activities, or learning materials provided.
Teachers, principals, and assistant principals (all ATA members) will not be available to respond to emails.
Student transportation will not run. Please do not send your children to the bus stop.
Childcare programs that lease space in BTPS schools may continue to operate. Please confirm directly with your provider.
Central Office staff will continue to work and provide updates as new information becomes available.
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.
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 ourLabour Action Updatespage.
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.
September 10, 2025
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:
