TORONTO – Ontario’s elementary teachers have agreed to salary increases of one per cent a year for three years, but will get higher benefit increases than the government originally sought.
The Canadian Press has obtained a memo of highlights that the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario sent to its members about the tentative contract deal it recently reached with the provincial government.
The government had previously said it would not budge beyond an offer to increase both wages and benefits by one per cent per year, but ETFO secured four per cent annual increases to benefits.
Education Minister Stephen Lecce had also wanted concessions on a regulation that dictates seniority-based hiring, but while the agreement doesn’t come with any such concessions, it also doesn’t come with guarantees that the government can’t make changes to it.
The agreement also contains a Support for Students fund, which ETFO says will create about 434 teacher positions, meant to address areas such as special education, English language learners, and mental-health initiatives.
The government has also made a “binding, enforceable” commitment in writing to maintain the current full-day kindergarten structure, with one teacher and one early childhood educator.
- Man found suffering from critical injuries in east Toronto after apparent assault
- ‘Incredible rescue’: Firefighters pull man from burning building in Mississauga
- Boy facing multiple charges after fireworks set off on TTC
- Home sales up 25% from last year, but supply remains low: Toronto real estate board
- Rainy forecast could offer some relief for crews battling N.S. wildfires
- Ottawa criticized for silence on Poland’s controversial laws as Trudeau welcomes PM
- Poilievre rallies Conservative support ahead of key vote for PPC’s Bernier
- Singh says Johnston made ‘wrong decision’ staying as special rapporteur
Comments