Following the Alberta Government’s decision to send striking teachers back to work last fall, AASUA condemned the decision and took action to oppose it.
Update: Alberta Teachers Association’s (ATA) Litigation Challenging Back to School Act
On December 4, AASUA Executive made a motion to seek intervenor status in the Alberta Teachers Association’s (ATA) civil action challenging the Back to School Act. If the Court granted AASUA intervenor status, this would allow AASUA to participate in the ATA’s court proceeding and assist the court in making a fully-informed decision.
To this end, AASUA retained legal counsel to explore the possibility of applying for intervenor status. Now, after reviewing the law and the circumstances, Executive was advised that the chances of AASUA being granted intervener status in this case are slim to none.
With this information at hand, Executive has decided that AASUA will not use funds (derived from members’ union dues and membership fees) on a costly court application that is highly unlikely to succeed.
Update: Petition to rescind the Back to School Act
As you will recall, exploring the option of intervening in the ATA’s case was not the only way AASUA was working to show support for the ATA. In addition to attending rallies, AASUA launched a petition to rescind the Back to School Act last fall and held well-attended petition-signing tables across campus before the Employer denied permission for such activities to occur on university property. Despite this setback, we are still in the process of bringing this petition before the Legislative Assembly.
We are also challenging the Employer’s decision to deny petition tables through a judicial review application in the Court of King’s Bench, the hearing of which is scheduled for June 16, 2027.
Although we are unable to directly intervene in the ATA’s court challenge to the Back to School Act, we remain steadfast in our support and solidarity. AASUA continues to stand in support of the teachers, the ATA, the wider labour movement, and every citizen of Alberta who rightly stands in opposition to the government’s enactment of the Back to School Act.
We will continue to update members of our petition’s status with the Legislative Assembly as more details are available.
In solidarity,
Gordon Swaters
AASUA President