High school teachers in Alberta are increasingly turning to side jobs amidst a provincewide strike that began on October 6. With about 51,000 teachers affected, many are seeking alternative income sources as their regular paychecks come to a halt. This trend highlights a significant response to financial pressures faced by educators across the province.
Teachers Embrace Side Jobs During Strike
Greg Pollard, a teacher from Fort McMurray, has pivoted his focus from classrooms to entrepreneurship. He runs a custom clothing business called Bean & Bud Custom Designs, which he initially started to provide customized jerseys for his school’s sports teams. However, this side business has now become essential for his financial stability during the strike. “I don’t know what I would do right now without it. I’d have no money during the strike,” Pollard stated.
Supporting Families Through Creative Ventures
Other teachers like Natalie Roy from Cochrane are also leveraging their skills to cope with the financial implications of the strike. Roy, who teaches English and social studies, has reignited her photography business, Whimsical West Photography. She acknowledges the challenge of rebuilding her client base but emphasizes her commitment as a single mother of three. “There’s a lot of pressure to continue working,” she noted, given the uncertainty of the strike length.
Sarah Batchelor, a music teacher from Airdrie, has turned to crocheting. She sells hair scrunchies and mug cozies, finding that this creative outlet alleviates her emotional stress. “I’m still worrying about some of these kids. The creative outlet when you are dealing with emotional stress is really important,” Batchelor explained.
Impact of Longer Strikes on Educators
According to Christian Cook, a human resources expert at Mount Royal University, the trend of teachers seeking side jobs is unsurprising. Recent strikes have been longer compared to those of a decade or more ago. Cook points out that many individuals are also exploring gig work due to rising living costs. “Maybe they’re just doing more of that to try and augment the loss of pay from the job action,” she observed.
Guidelines During the Strike
The Alberta Teachers’ Association has stated that teachers are permitted to seek other employment during the strike. However, they must adhere to the Teacher Code of Conduct, which prohibits tutoring children they currently teach. Association president Jason Schilling confirmed these stipulations in an email.
Negotiations Set to Resume
As the strike continues, there is some hope for resolution. On Tuesday, the province and the teachers’ union are set to return to the bargaining table for the first time since the strike began. The outcome of these discussions could potentially impact the ongoing situation for the thousands of teachers seeking alternative income sources during this challenging time.
