FOR RELEASE: NOVEMBER 26, 2002

Elementary Teachers and Board Ratify
The Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO) Hastings-Prince Edward Local and the Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board have both held ratification votes after parties reached a tentative agreement on a contract extension for the 2001-2002 school year. The Board voted on Monday night, followed by teachers Tuesday evening. Both parties have voted in favour of accepting the agreement. The previous agreement expired on August 31, 2001.

The agreement addresses workload conditions, the DRA and offers teachers wage parity with Ontario secondary school teachers. “The agreement offers creative problem solving and moves us into a stronger partnership with ETFO,” says Chris Salt, Superintendent of Human Resources and Operations for the school board. Salt continues, “A new initiative includes a Workload Study Committee. This joint committee will study workload and best practices associated with the DRA and Maplewood (new report card software) and in the future will review any new Ministry lead initiatives and their impact on teacher workload.”

ETFO Local President, Dave Patterson says, “A Workload Fund, jointly contributed to by ETFO and the Board, will offer teachers assistance in the implementation of the DRA. There is currently a two-year plan to support local elementary teachers through the joint fund.” Patterson adds, “In addition, the new Union-Management Committee, will act as a communications vehicle and will provide opportunities for problem solving between the Board and the Federation.”

Provincial President, Emily Noble, in Belleville for the ratification vote, addressed the audience of educators and media Tuesday night at Loyalist College. Noble commented, “We are glad to see that the parties have negotiated a fair deal that addresses workload issues for teachers in the face of increased standardized testing demands. The Union looks forward to working to resolve future issues through the Union-Management Committee.”

Board Chair Judy Edgar, congratulated the negotiating teams and their diligence in working on an agreement. “My thoughts are with our elementary students these days as we head in to the holiday season. Children and their parents are relieved. We look forward to ‘business as usual’ in our schools.”

Highlights of settlement agreement

Workload Issues

• One additional half-day of preparation time.
• Reduction in the frequency of DRA in the Primary Grades.
• Workload Fund of $40,000 in the 2002-2003 school year and $75,000 in the 2003-2004 school year. ETFO to contribute $5,000 in the first year and $10,000 in the second year to the Workload Fund.
• Workload Fund to be administered by two area Superintendents of Instruction. Fund to used to provide assistance to teachers who are having difficulties with DRA and Maplewood Report Card software. First year teachers with split grades and teachers with a high ratio of special needs students can receive workload related assistance from the Fund.
• Workload Study Committee, a joint committee to study the workload and best practices associated with DRA and Maplewood. New Ministry initiatives in the current school year will be reviewed as to their impact on teacher workload. The Committee will be chaired by Superintendent of Instruction, David Fox and will present a report by April 15, 2003.

Salary Increases

• September 1, 2001 an increase of 1.25% $69,200 A4 Max.
• August 31, 2002 an increase of 1.321% $70,114 A4 Max.
• Increases achieve parity with secondary school teachers.

Benefits

• Cap of $7.00 on dispensing fee in the drug plan.
• Removal of coverage for over the counter drug claims from drug plan.

Relationship Building

• Establishment of Union-Management Committee, co-chaired by Local President of ETFO and the Superintendent of Human Resources.
• Committee will act as a communications vehicle for discussion and problem solving between the Board and the Union.

Miscellaneous

• Grievances must be filed within ten days of the incident giving rise to the grievance.
• Deletion of the requirement for the Staff Records List and a replacement with a less work intensive staff information provision. Similar information provided without duplication and in a manner more compatible with the Board’s computer programs.
• Teachers who plan to retire will give notice April 30th, which is one month earlier. This will facilitate transfers and new hires and the budget process.
• Withdrawal of the bad faith bargaining charge.

For information contact :
David Patterson, Local President, ETFO - (613) 962-1210 x28
Chris Salt, Superintendent of Human Resources and Operations, HPEDSB (613) 962-1170 x2281
Kerry Donnell, Communications Officer, HPEDSB - (613) 966-1170 x2354