Near North Board optimistic with two tentative labour deals

Near North District School Board Chair David Thompson has said they have felt stuck in the middle as the government and the unions tried to find a labour solution.  

The news about the Ontario public elementary teachers, who had been without a contract since August 31st of 2014,  came late Monday afternoon as announced by Education Minister Liz Sandals, just hours after a contract was finalized with the union (CUPE) representing school support staff.

“This tentative deal is a first step of getting back to the business of improving the positive learning environment for our students that includes the full educational experience,” said Thompson. 

“These tentative settlements validate and are respectful of the teachers who work in our classrooms and education workers who keep our schools running safely.”

Thompson says the board looks forward to ratification so they can move forward in the best interests of the Near North District School Board students. 

“The details of the agreement remain confidential until ratified by all parties,” he said.   

However, there is still one more deal that needs to get done and that's the impasse between the province and the high school public support staff.  

“Negotiations continue with the remaining union representing support staff (OSSTF) at the central table while the local negotiations will now begin with EFTO and CUPE once dates can be confirmed.”

The Elementary teachers and custodians were given notice by the province last Friday that they would have their pay cut if they continued with their work-to-rule initiatives.  

As part of the EFTO work-to-rule strategy, Elementary teachers were not making comments on report cards as well as pulling back on extra-curricular activities within the school.  

The custodians were only doing limited duties which left many school hallways around the province cluttered with garbage.