This morning around 330 teachers in Swift Current and about 90 in Maple Creek protested in the downtown streets, despite the frigid weather. 

Following the failed appearance of the provincial government at a recent negotiation with the Saskatchewan Teacher Federation, Chinook School Division's teachers took to the picket line for a third time since mid-January.

"I was actually at the table," said Neal Boutin, president of the Chinook Teacher's Association and teacher at Gull Lake School. "They wanted to try to make a side deal outside of negotiating at the table. So, they didn't really show up because they wanted to make a deal that wasn't binding and wasn't part of our contract." 

The Saskatchewan Teacher Federation hopes to continue putting pressure on the government to meet the requirements they are asking for to be in a binding contract.

"We're not here because we want to be here," Boutin explained. "We're here because we want the future of education in our province to be predictable and sustainable, with the funds from the provincial government to the schools and school divisions to be able to fully manage the class complexities that we're seeing." 

As the teachers held signs and walked up and down the streets, many vehicles honked their support as they passed and one of the local shops even offered them coffee.

"It's very motivating and very galvanizing to see all the people," said Boutin. "I've been a teacher in this area for the last 27 years. So it's very fulfilling to see all these people here supporting education." 

Swift Current Online did reach out to Everett Hindley's office this morning but was unable to receive a response before publishing time.