News - ETFO agreement ratified

For immediate release
November 6, 2000

Agreement ratified with
public school elementary teachers

The Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board and the Hastings - Prince Edward Elementary Teachers' Federation of Ontario have reached agreement on a new one year collective agreement. The previous contract had expired on August 31, 2000. Uncertainties around the government's funding and Bill 74 made negotiations challenging, however a tentative agreement was reached on Wednesday, October 25.
Highlights of the new contract are as follows:

staffing remains at current levels
changes to internal advertising and hiring with respect to mid-year vacancies
a 2.5% wage increase retroactive to September 1, 2000
a 0.45% wage increase effective August 31, 2001
preparation time remains at 150 minutes per week
agreement to use the Staffing Committee to facilitate discussions between the Board and the Federation around a variety of staffing considerations

The Board and the Federation are pleased to have, once again, successfully completed negotiations with no disruption for students or staff. Both parties are confident that this agreement will result in a stable and positive learning environment for pupils over the next year.

For information contact:

Audrey Carter,
Chair, Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board
969-8208 Dave Patterson,
President, ETFO
962-1210 ext. 28