York Region District School Board and Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation ratify agreement

June 18, 2013 · 0 Comments

The York Region District School Board (YRDSB) ratified the two-year collective agreement for its secondary teachers. The Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation, District 16 (OSSTF D16), also approved the agreement at May 28.
The local agreement builds on the OSSTF Provincial Memoranda of Understanding (MOU), previously reached by the province and OSSTF provincial, and ratified by union membership across the province.
“We value the strong and productive working relationships we have with all our employee groups, who are at the foundation of student success,” said board chair Anna DeBartolo. “I applaud senior staff and the negotiations teams, whose hard work will benefit students.”
“Our members are highly dedicated and skilled teachers who provide high quality instruction for all students in secondary school,” said OSSTF D16 president Colleen Ireland. “Within the parameters established in the MOU between the Ministry of Education and OSSTF provincial, this agreement represents the willingness of both the board and OSSTF to negotiate in the best interests of staff and students.”
Highlights of the two year agreement in the Provincial MOU are:
• Employees eligible for salary grid movement will receive increments on the 97th day of each school year.
• Zero per cent salary increases for both years of the agreement.
• The retirement gratuity for eligible employees will be capped as of Aug. 31, 2012.
• Employees not eligible for the retirement gratuity will receive a set one-time payment within three months of ratification of the agreement, based on a formula calculated and funded through the Ministry of Education.
Highlights of the two-year agreement arrived at through local discussions between YRDSB and OSSTF D16 are:
• Increased involvement and responsibility of the Union in the planning of the OSSTF Professional Activity (PA) Day, subject to Ministry of Education requirements.
• YRDSB and OSSTF D16 will form a committee to support school principals in staffing schools to best meet the needs of students.
• An agreement to form a regional group of autism program teachers in support of students.