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‘Fifty Shades of Grey’ joke fell flat with teachers

Saskatchewan teacher union's president John McGettigan is facing possible discipline for 'Fifty Shades of Grey' joke. File / Global News

SASKATOON – The president of the Saskatoon Teachers’ Association is facing possible discipline for making a joke referring to a popular erotic novel. The remark John McGettigan made linking the ‘Fifty Shades of Grey’ trilogy and contract negotiations with the province led to an accusation of professional misconduct.

A Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation’s professional ethics committee heard the complaint today, but McGettigan was not at the hearing.

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READ MORE: Sask. teachers calling lack of contract vote ‘undemocratic’

Lawyer Dennis Fisher told the committee the charge stems from a complaint filed by teachers and the principal at Saskatoon’s Prince Philip School about a comment McGettigan made in a speech at the association’s convention in February.

Fisher says McGettigan’s comment that binding conciliation was – quote – the “negotiating equivalent of Fifty Shades of Grey” was an attempt at humour.

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The convention was held a week after the government and federation reached an agreement to end a two-year contract dispute.

The committee must decide McGettigan’s fate and, if he’s found guilty, will make a punishment recommendation to federation executive.

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