By Rosalind Russell – The Ontario English Catholic Teachers’ Association President René Jansen in de Wal says the Association’s 45,000 Catholic-teacher members have ratified the agreement on central terms for a new contract.
The issues addressed include better reporting and access to information to address increasing violence in schools; improving the resources and supports for student mental health and special education; and ensuring teachers receive the preparation and planning time they need.
Outstanding items that could not be resolved by the parties at the bargaining table, including compensation, will be sent to Voluntary Binding Interest Arbitration.
In arbitration, the Association and the other parties will make presentations on the items in question to an arbitrator, who will then issue a decision award.
The Memorandum of Settlement of Central Terms has been agreed to by the Government of Ontario; however, it still requires ratification from the Ontario Catholic School Trustees’ Association.
If ratified by OCSTA, the Association will then move to begin the process of negotiations between local OECTA units and Catholic school boards for the local terms of their respective collective agreements.
Photo – mche-lee, Unslpash.