INFLATION RESTRAINT ACT

Austerity in the 80s

The provincial Inflation Restraint Act curtails teacher bargaining rights. It removes the right to strike and arbitration, extends collective agreements and holds salaries to levels set by government.

The federations respond with a partially successful challenge under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, by pushing for non-monetary improvements in areas like transfers and promotions, and by training teachers to become more politically active in their communities.