The provincial government has reached a new agreement in principle with public high school teachers in an effort to ease labour unrest that has ensued since the province imposed contracts on teachers last year.
Education Minister Liz Sandals and OSSTF President Ken Coran confirmed the new understanding Sunday evening.
“I am pleased that we have come to an agreement in principle with OSSTF that is focused on the fair and consistent application of the existing collective agreements while reflecting the ministry’s fiscal situation,” Sandals said in a statement released Sunday.
Sandals said the new agreement would not undo contracts imposed on teachers last year. Rather, she said it will address “implementation concerns” in a number of areas, including sick leave, maternity leave, retirement gratuity, unpaid days, and local bargaining.
“We have indicated on many occasions that anything we agree to with our partners must reflect our current fiscal situation and fit within the Ministry’s funding envelope,” Sandals said. “Recognizing this reality, our discussions have been focused on ensuring fairness and consistency in the application of the current agreement.”
Both sides have agreed to implement a media blackout over the next few days as details of the agreement are shared with union members.
Any new agreement must still be voted on by union leadership and members, Coran said.
Opposition Sceptical
Progressive Conservative education critic Lisa MacLeod was quick to critique the deal Sunday. Speaking with CP24, MacLeod expressed scepticism about what a new deal with teachers might cost taxpayers.
“Is Kathleen Wynne prepared to back down on a legislated wage freeze, is she going to give away more bargaining rights to teachers unions, school board administrators, principals and vice-principals?” MacLeod said. “Parents really want to know. Their kids have been through enough this year.”
She also cast doubt on Sandals’ assertion that the new agreement will not alter the imposed contracts.
“If they’re negotiating after there’s already a collective agreement, that means there’s something that’s being given to these union leaders,” MacLeod said. “What is Kathleen Wynne giving away? We really need to know that.”
On Feb. 22, the OSSTF voted to suspend all political action related to extracurricular activities. Some teachers had withdrawn from voluntary activities after the government imposed contracts that froze wages for most teachers.
