October 22, 2025
RED FM News Desk
The union representing Alberta’s 51,000 striking teachers says it is consulting with lawyers as the provincial government prepares to bring in back-to-work legislation.
In a statement Tuesday, the Alberta Teachers’ Association (ATA) said it is “weighing its options with input from lawyers” as Premier Danielle Smith’s government signals a legal order could come as early as next week. Smith said last week the union should “fully expect” to be ordered back once the legislature resumes.
The fall sitting begins Thursday with the speech from the throne, setting the stage for the possible introduction of back-to-work legislation in the days that follow. The ATA did not specify what legal or procedural options it is considering.
Government House Leader Joseph Schow declined Monday to provide a timeline for when the bill might be tabled or passed but confirmed Smith’s cabinet will meet this week to discuss next steps.
“We’re going to discuss all the means that we have available to us to get kids back in the classroom,” Schow said.
The ongoing strike — now in its third week — and a subsequent government lockout have sidelined 51,000 teachers across public, separate, and francophone schools, affecting roughly 750,000 students provincewide.
The provincewide job action, which began October 6, marks the largest teacher walkout in Alberta’s history. Smith has warned that the continued strike is causing “irreparable harm” to students.
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