Alberta Teachers’ Strike: Largest in History Enters Second Day

EDMONTON – A provincewide strike involving Alberta’s teachers has entered its second day, marking a historic moment in the province’s labor landscape. With 51,000 members of the Alberta Teachers’ Association participating, this action is now recognized as the largest teachers’ strike in Alberta’s history, according to Jason Foster, a labour relations professor at Athabasca University.

The current strike affects over 740,000 students across approximately 2,500 public, separate, and francophone schools. This unprecedented mobilization comes in response to ongoing disputes concerning wages and working conditions, which have left teachers dissatisfied with the province’s previous offers.

Foster noted that the previous major teachers’ strike in Alberta occurred in 2002 and involved fewer than half the number of participants. The stark contrast in scale highlights the growing unrest among educators regarding their compensation and workplace environment.

The Alberta government had proposed a 12 percent wage increase over a four-year period, alongside plans to hire an additional 3,000 teachers to alleviate overcrowded classrooms. However, this proposal was swiftly rejected by the teachers, who are advocating for more substantial improvements to their working conditions and salaries.

As the strike continues, the impact on students and schools is becoming increasingly evident. Parents are seeking alternative arrangements for their children’s education, while school administrators are grappling with the logistical challenges of managing the extensive disruption.

The situation remains fluid as negotiations between the two parties are yet to resume. Educators across Alberta are standing firm in their demands, raising questions about the future of education in the province and the potential ramifications of this historic strike.

This report originally appeared on October 7, 2025, and continues to develop as both sides navigate the complexities of labor relations in the education sector.