for Journalists
The Alberta Teachers' Association
Contact1: Laura Harris
Phone (Bus): (780)447-9476
(Fax): (780)455-6481
E-mail: laura.harris@ata.ab.caContact2: Donna Swiniarski
Phone (Bus): (780)447-9467
(Fax): (780)455-6481
E-mail: donna.swiniarski@ata.ab.caContact3: Frank Bruseker, President
Phone (Bus): (780)447-9444
(Fax): (780)455-6481
E-mail: frank.bruseker@ata.ab.caAddress: 11010-142 Street,
Edmonton, AB T5N 2R1Web Site: www.teachers.ab.ca
Toll Free Phone: 1-800-232-7208 (Alberta only)
Keys: Achievement tests/diploma examinations; Back to School; Beginning Teachers; Charter schools; Children; Collective bargaining and education; Education Finance; Early Childhood Services (ECS)/ kindergarten; Education funding/taxes/budgets;Public Education/Public Education Works; Pupil-teacher ratio/class size; Pupils; Principals/Administrators; Schools; School based budgeting and decision making; Schools as professional learning communities; School councils; Special Education; Teacher discipline; Teaching; Teacher evaluation; Teachers’ professional development; Teachers’ conventions; Teachers’ salaries/Teachers’ negotiations; Teacher welfare; Technology and Education; Tutoring; Violence in Schools.
Expertise: Established 1918; represents 33,000 teachers in Alberta.
Mandate:
· To advance and promote the cause of education in Alberta.
· To improve the teaching profession.
· To arouse and increase public interest in the importance of education and public knowledge of the aims of education, financial support for education and other education matters.
Story Ideas:
2007
June 29, 2007: Teachers vow to continue efforts to change offensive law
June 27, 2007: Premier Stelmach takes good step—ATA President Frank Bruseker
June 20, 2007: Medicine Hat public teachers turn down memorandum of agreement; Grande Prairie Catholic trustees fail their teachers
June 11, 2007: Red Deer and budgetmore.com on the agenda for ATA President
May 31, 2007: Provincial tour and budgetmore.com on the agenda for ATA president
May 22, 2007: ATA President Frank Bruseker puts education minister on alert
May 16, 2007: Teachers honour Parkland Institute and dedicated colleagues
May 15, 2007: Minister of Education to address teachers at annual policy and budget debate
April 23, 2007: Silken Laumann, Tod Maffin to headline Alberta Library Conference 2007
April 19, 2007: Education Budget Bombshell; Wild Rose Teachers avert strike
April 16, 2007: Media invited to attend symposium on Alberta high school completion
April 13, 2007: Wild Rose teachers serve strike notice
April 10, 2007: Judges applaud quality of EdNews Award entries: ATA announces winners
April 3, 2007: Memorandum of agreement reached in Buffalo Trail School Division
March 27, 2007: Innovative, compassionate and creative “Living Classroom” receives PR
March 26, 2007: Alberta Teachers’ Association announces election results
March 19, 2007: Parkland schools to reopen Tuesday morning; Parkland teachers to hold news conference concerning reopening of schools
March 16, 2007: Buffalo Trail school negotiations break off
March 15, 2007: Wild Rose School Division teachers announce strike vote results
March 13, 2007: Parkland teachers’ president reviews the day’s lesson for trustees
March 12, 2007: Parkland trustees grasping at straws in effort to evade accountability, say teachers
March 9, 2007: Parkland teachers invite trustees to return to bargaining table
March 8, 2007: At least four school jurisdictions form employers’ bargaining organization; Parkland teachers propose special mediation as positive step toward resolution of strike
March 7, 2007: Throne speech says little about education, says ATA President; Parkland teachers resoundingly reject board offer in proposal vote
March 6, 2007: ATA appoints two new staff officers in Member Services program area; Parkland teachers’ president to announce proposal vote results
March 5, 2007; Wild Rose School Division teachers announce strike vote date
March 2, 2007: Interview opportunity with Robert Twerdoclib, president of the Parkland Teachers’ Local
March 1, 2007: Parkland trustees drag any hopes of settlement to a halt
February 27, 2007: Parkland teachers and trustees to resume bargaining
February 27, 2007: Media invited to reception and discussion with David Peat and Justin Trudeau
February 20, 2007: Parkland teachers expect no quick fix
February 16, 2007: Parkland teachers face first day of strike
February 15, 2007: Wild Rose School Division teachers authorize strike vote
February 13, 2007: Parkland teachers serve strike notice
February 9, 2007: Buffalo Trail teachers vote for strike action
January 26, 2007: Buffalo Trail teachers approve strike vote
January 24, 2007: Calgary Catholic teachers approve memorandum of agreement
January 23, 2007: Teachers sound warning on P3 school construction; Calgary Catholic teachers' president available for comment
January 12, 2007: Memorandum of agreement for Calgary Catholic
2006
December 15, 2006: Alberta teachers looking forward to working with new Minister of Education
December 8, 2006: Calgary Catholic teachers reject mediator's recommendation
December 7, 2006: ATA appoints new Associate Coordinator of Member Services
November 22, 2006: Teachers want new premier and cabinet to address education issues
November 17, 2006: Albertans support government funding for pre-Kindergarten programs for kids at risk
November 8, 2006: Parkland trustees give thumbs down in proposal vote
November 7, 2006: Calgary Catholic Teachers authorize strike vote
November 6, 2006: Calgary Catholic teachers' president available for comment
October 31, 2006: Parkland teachers seek proposal vote
October 30, 2006: No progress in Parkland teacher-board negotiations; Media invited to ESL conference
October 26, 2006: Parkland teachers meet for negotiations update
October 25, 2006: Parkland teachers' president available for comment
October 24, 2006: Parkland school trustees getting in way of settlement
October 20, 2006: Parkland teachers vote for strike action
October 19, 2006: Parkland teachers to announce strike vote result
October 16, 2006: Parkland teachers to conduct strike vote
October 10, 2006: Parkland School Division Trustees reject mediator's terms for settlement
October 2, 2006: Alberta's teachers celebrate World Teachers' Day
28-Sep-2006 September 28, 2006: Media invited to hear PC leadership candidates address teacher audience; Provincial testing programs not the best approach to assessment
August 31, 2006: Teachers welcome long-awaited infrastructure spending plan
August 24, 2006: ATA urges sustained government funding for public education
August 21, 2006: Work showing benefits of full-day kindergarten earns U of A researcher ATA Educational Research Award
August 15, 2006: Red Deer City Local honoured for excellence in political engagement; PR savvy communications projects win excellence awards
July 28, 2006: Supreme Court to hear teachers' Charter challenge of Alberta school trustee law
July 11, 2006: Latest infusion of funds only a temporary fix, say Alberta teachers
July 6, 2006: Edmonton public teachers ratify memorandum of agreement
June 30, 2006: End of the school-year report-ATA President, Frank Bruseker
June 29, 2006: ATA President available to media for end-of-school-year Q&A
June 26, 2006: ATA appoints coordinator of Member Services; ATA appoints new Professional Development staff officer
May 31, 2006: Canadian delegates gather in Edmonton for Global Education Conference
May 29, 2006: Labour unrest symptomatic of underfunding and board intransigence, teachers say
May 18, 2006: Underfunding of education to be discussed at ATA's annual meeting
May 15, 2006: National survey on commercialism in schools shows rise in private funding sources
May 12, 2006: Two recipients earn Alberta Teachers' Association's highest award; Alberta teachers gear up for annual policy and budget debate
May 11, 2006: ATA appoints new staff officer in Teacher Welfare program area; ATA names new Associate Coordinator to Member Services
May 1, 2006: Media invited to join teachers for Aboriginal pipe ceremony and book launch
April 28, 2006: Teachers concerned that retreat from class size initiative will mean larger class sizes; Teachers call on MLAs to reject bill limiting discussion of same-sex marriage
April 21, 2006: Education Week Celebrates Learning: It's Yours for Life
2005
December 20, 2005: Livingstone Range School Division bargains collective agreement
December 13, 2005: Alberta teachers challenge school boards' bargaining fairy tales
November 23, 2005: Foothills teachers ratify three-year agreement
November 18, 2005: Grande Yellowhead teachers accept memorandum of agreement
November 10, 2005: Foothills teachers, trustees sign memorandum of agreement
November 7, 2005: Grande Yellowhead teachers, trustees reach memorandum of agreement
November 1, 2005: Foothills teachers authorize strike action
October 31, 2005: Teachers concerned about the impact of the Lakeside Packers dispute on schools
October 26, 2005: Much Work Remains To Be Done To Improve Classroom Conditions, Say Teachers
October 14, 2005: Palliser teachers accept recommendation for settlement
October 13, 2005: Grande Yellowhead Teaachers Seek to Resume Negotiations
September 29, 2005: Alberta teachers celebrate World Teachers' Day
September 28, 2005: Take test results with a grain of salt, says ATA President
September 14, 2005: Prairie Land teachers ratify three-year deal
August 30, 2005: Greater Southern Public Francophone teachers accept mediator's recommendation
August 25, 2005: Greater Southern Public Francophone teachers to vote on mediator's recommendation; ATA President Frank Bruseker responds to C D Howe Institute Commentary “School Class Size: Smaller Isn’t Better”
August 19, 2005: Préavis de grève lancé par les enseignants du Conseil scolaire du Sud de l’Alberta; Greater Southern Public Francophone teachers serve strike notice
August 15, 2005: Clintberg appointed new coordinator of Teacher Welfare
August 9, 2005: Public relations excellence award winners prove that “doing is better than saying!”
August 5, 2005: ATA Educational Trust to pay up to $40,000 in awards in 2005/2006
June 23, 2005: University of Alberta researchers share ATA Educational Research Award for putting students in the picture; Talks break down: Greater Southern Public Francophone teachers poised to strike in September; Edmonton Catholic teachers vote to accept mediator’s recommendations
June 22, 2005: Edmonton Catholic teachers' president to comment on proposal vote; Wolf Creek School Division fails mediation attempt
June 17, 2005: Edmonton Catholic teachers will scrutinize board proposal vote
June 14, 2005: Government fails to follow through with 7.1 per cent promise
June 10, 2005: Edmonton Catholic teachers stand fast on hours of instruction
June 7, 2005: Greater Southern Francophone bargaining grinds to a halt
May 27, 2005: Board committed unfair labour practice-ALRB
May 18, 2005: Greater Southern Separate Catholic Francophone teachers approve strike action
May 16, 2005: Dr Charles Hyman to receive ATA's highest honour; Edmonton to host the Alberta Teachers' Association's 88th Annual Representative AssemblyApril 13, 2005: Education Budget A Missed Opportunity, ATA President
April 4, 2005: EdNews Award Winners Go Beyond The 3 Rs
March 20, 2005: Innovative High School Communications Committee Wins PR Award
March 11, 2005: Greater Southern Separate Catholic Francophone teachers authorize strike vote; Aspen View teachers vote to accept three-year contract
March 8, 2005: Greater Southern Francophone teachers authorize strike vote
February 25, 2005: Fort McMurray Public School Board to lock out teachers and students
February 23, 2005: Edmonton class sizes in recovery but situation still "critical"
February 18, 2005: Fort Vermilion teachers accept mediator's recommendations
February 8, 2005: Aspen View teachers authorize strike vote
February 7, 2005: Fort Vermilion teachers rescind strike notice; Fort McMurray Public teachers serve strike notice; Fort McMurray Public teachers rescind strike notice
February 2, 2005: Fort Vermilion teachers to strike on Monday, February 7
January 31, 2005: Fort McMurray public school teachers urge recall of provincial mediator
January 28, 2005: Disputes Inquiry Board for Medicine Hat
January 22, 2005: Medicine Hat Catholic teachers serve strike notice
January 14, 2005: Fort Vermilion School Division teachers authorize strike action; Medicine Hat Catholic teachers protest local board's failure to negotiate
January 13, 2005: Fort McMurray Public teachers take strike vote
January 11, 2005: Medicine Hat Catholic teachers reject board offer through proposal vote
January 10, 2005: Proposal vote results to be released
January 7, 2005: Alberta teachers mourn the passing of Lieutenant Governor Lois Hole
2004
December 17, 2004: ATA Members Elect Jim Black to Represent Southeast Alberta Teachers
December 13, 2004: Medicine Hat Catholic Schools Closed By Trustees Actions
December 10, 2004: Medicine Hat Catholic Teachers Serve Strike Notice
October 27, 2004: ATA Appoints Member Services Executive Staff Officer
September 17, 2004: Court Rejects Government Attempt To Re-Impose "Oppressive" Law
September 16, 2004: Battle River trustees trash provincial arbitration
September 15, 2004: Court Throws Out "Oppressive" School Trustee Statutes Amendment Act
September 14, 2004: Parkland teachers to take strike vote
September 1, 2004: Teacher Hiring Projections Are "Pie-In-The-Sky" Says ATA President
August 27, 2004: Edmonton public teachers sign memorandum of agreement
August 19, 2004: No More stonewalling: Teachers demand full disclosure of school board funding
August 18, 2004: Deal Dead as Dodo
August 10, 2004: Judges Applaud ATA Locals' Creative and Innovative Public Relations Programs
July 7, 2004: Teachers Respond To Untruths In Alberta School Boards Association (ASBA) Open Letter
July 7, 2004: Frozen Collective Agreements Will Not Work In Any Long-Term Deal
July 6, 2004: Talks Collapse-No Deal; If Not Resolution, Then Mediation
June 24, 2004: Results Of Wild Rose Strike Vote To Be Released At 5:15 This Afternoon
June 23, 2004: Learning Minister Issues Ultimatum; Teachers Propose Solutions
June 22, 2004: Calgary Catholic Teachers To Vote On Memorandum Of Agreement; Grande Yellowhead Teachers, Trustees Sign Memorandum Of Agreement; Sturgeon Teachers Approve Strike Action
June 21, 2004: Results Of Sturgeon Strike Vote To Be Released At 5:45 This Afternoon; Recent Poll Shows Albertans Concerned About Public Education
June 18, 2004: Edmonton Public Trustees Reject Teachers' Offer For Labour Peace; Chinook's Edge Teachers Urge Trustees To Reconsider Mediator's Recommendation; Rocky View Teachers, Trustees Settle Unfair Labour Practice Complaint; Battle River Teachers Running Out Of Options
June 16, 2004: Dr Darren Lund Wins ATA Educational Research Award For Social Justice Project; Chinook's Edge Trustees Reject Mediator's Terms Of Settlement
June 15, 2004: Calgary Catholic Teachers Authorize Strike Vote
June 8, 2004: Chinook's Edge teachers edge closer to strike action
June 6, 2004: Parkland Teachers Authorize Strike Vote; ATA charges Chinook's Edge School Board With Unfair Labour Practice
June 3, 2004: Time Is Running Out: Teachers Call News Conference To Announce Plan For Long-Term Stability In Education; Time Is Running Out: Teachers Propose Solution For Long-Term Stability In Education
June 1, 2004: ATA Appoints Member Services Executive Staff Officer
May 27, 2004: Sturgeon School Trustees Torpedo Mediated Settlement
May 19, 2004: Calgary Teachers Elect New Representative To Provincial Executive Council
May 17, 2004: Dr Robert Jackson Earns ATA's Highest Award
May 14, 2004: Alberta Teachers Gear Up For Annual Policy And Budget Debate
May 10, 2004: Government Plan To Test Failing Grade 3 Students Panned
May 5, 2004: Wetaskiwin Teachers To Consider Strike Vote
April 20, 2004: Girls' Hockey School Wins School-Community PR Award
April 13, 2004: ATA Congratulates EdNews Award Winners
April 8, 2004: Teachers Call On Government To Release Education Dollars
April 6, 2004: Holy Spirit Teachers Announce News Conference
March 24, 2004: Alberta's Teachers Welcome Increase In Education Budget
March 4, 2004: Government Announcement Raises Concerns, Says ATA President
March 2, 2004: Lieutenant-Governor, Children's Senator To Engage In Conversation On Well-Being Of Children And Youth
January 7, 2004: Fewer Teaching Positions Mean Larger Classes
2003
November 26, 2003: September Count Reveals Impact Of Education Cutbacks
October 7, 2003: Learning Commission Report Confirms Teachers' Concerns
September 22, 2003: Teachers React To Premier's Leak Of Learning Commission Recommendations
September 8, 2003: ATA Educational Trust Announces Award Recipients : Thirty-three Alberta Teachers Will Share $27,700
August 25, 2003: Class-size Survey Provides No Comfort
August 15, 2003: The ATA Summer Conference at The Banff Centre, August 11-15, 2003
August 12, 2003: Judges Applaud ATA Locals For Excellence In Public Relations Planning
July 18, 2003: The ATA Summer Conference at The Banff Centre, August 11-15, 2003
June 24, 2003: Study On Working Conditions Of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual And Transgendered Teachers Garners ATA Educational Research Award
June 3, 2003: Three Quarters of Albertans Say Education is Underfunded; Teachers to Release Poll Results on Public Education
May 26, 2003: Marc Doll Acclaimed in ATA byelection
May 15, 2003: Alberta Teachers Meet to Discuss Budget and Policy; ATA Honors Dr Eric Mokosch with Highest Award; ATA Releases Research Study: “Listening to Students”
May 2, 2003 : ATA School-Community Public Relations Awards: Winning entry raises community appreciation for students
April 7, 2003: EdNews (Education News Writers and Photographers) Awards for 2002 Announced
March 31, 2003: ATA Announces Provincial Executive Council Election Results
February 26, 2003: Teachers Oppose Unilateral changes in Working Conditions
February 6, 2003: Edmonton Public Class Sizes Continue to Grow; ATA's Safe and Caring Schools Project Receives Federal Grant
updated: July 6, 2007