Province Reaches Tentative Deal With Ontario English Catholic Teachers

Specifics of the deal have not been released, pending ratification by 34 000 English Catholic school teachers, but it’s believed that the outline will closely resemble an agreement last week with Ontario high school teachers.

The union representing the province’s public school elementary teachers heads back to the negotiating table on September 1, but job action is expected if no agreement is found.

“We appreciate the government’s efforts and those of the Catholic school trustees in reaching this tentative agreement”, said Ontario English Catholic Teachers’ Association (OECTA) President Ann Hawkins in a media release.

It is the second teachers’ union to reach an 11th-hour agreement with school boards and the province with just weeks to go before classes begin. “What that means is that any salary increases are offset in other areas within the collective agreement”.

The Liberal government insisted it would not fund salary increases for teachers or any public sector workers until it eliminates an $11.9 million deficit, which it is scheduled to do in 2017-18. Prior to reaching the tentative settlement, only one school, Bishop Belleau in Moosonee, had commenced work to rule sanctions, which will now be suspended. She said Catholic teachers were not looking forward to launching a planned work-to-rule campaign.

Sam Hammond said teachers won’t participate in any field trips, fundraising activities, meeting or training sessions, professional development sessions or respond to any electronic communications from the principal or vice-principal outside the school day except where student safety is involved.

The union representing Francophone teachers in Ontario is also in contract negotiations with school boards.

If teachers ratify central contracts over money issues, school boards and teachers must then negotiate local agreements on administrative matters.

The government set up a new, two-tier bargaining process that includes both provincial and local rounds of negotiations.