The Ontario English Catholic Teachers’ Association on Wednesday announced they have ratified an agreement on central terms for a new contract with the province.
Association president René Jansen in de Wal called it a long and challenging round of negotiations.
According to the release, the issues addressed, among others, 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 Catholic teachers in elementary and secondary schools 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 still requires ratification from the Ontario Catholic School Trustees’ Association.
OECTA represents 45,000 teachers in Ontario’s publicly funded English Catholic schools, from Kindergarten to Grade 12.
