The Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation president, Colin Keess has been reinstated with the full power of the office confirmed.
Ronald Mills, a Queen’s Bench judge, quashed the STF executive’s motion to restrict Keess’ duties and responsibilities almost nine months ago.
The former Estevan Comprehensive School teacher and principal stated he felt vindicated. He informed Janet French of the Saskatoon Star-Phoenix that it felt like a ton of weight had been lifted from his shoulders.
The executive role he had played prior to the restriction was returned to him as of April 6.
Keess had been elected twice to the top position of the STF executive.
The STF was also ordered to pay $2,000 of their president’s legal expenses. They issued a statement indicating they would abide by the decision having earlier argued that the court didn’t have the jurisdiction to overturn its executive’s decisions.
The situation now leaves the STF with no written policy regarding removal of their president or any other executive member, they said in the statement.
The STF had stripped Keess of his executive powers on Aug. 1, 2014 following a meeting of the seven-member executive council. The cause for their action was a belief that Keess had leaked sensitive collective bargaining information to a teacher in the midst of negotiations. Some original action against Keess by the STF began in mid-June of that year.
Keess, who was first elected president in 2012, said he now intends to seek the position again when the STF goes to their polls later this month. There are three other candidates currently expressing a desire to take on the job.
The negotiations surrounding teachers’ wages were troubled from the outset with two negotiated agreements being rejected by the 13,000 educators in the province. A third round, conducted by an appointed conciliator was approved, without a vote being taken by the membership. That process gave them a basic 7.55 per cent increase over a three-year span with a small improvement to their benefits package.
