NOTE: THE CONTENT OF OECTA PROVINCIAL BARGAINING UPDATES IS CONFIDENTIAL TO
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August Bargaining Dates Conclude with No Progress, Association to Make Decisions on Next Steps
The OECTA Provincial Bargaining Team (PBT) met with representatives of the Government of Ontario and the bargaining team representing all Catholic school boards on August 15 and 16, to continue negotiations for the renewal of the central terms of our collective agreement.
Since bargaining began, more than a year ago, Catholic teachers have remained committed to realizing a fair agreement that supports all students, educators, and families – as teachers’ working conditions are students’ learning conditions. That commitment has not been reciprocated by the Ford Conservative government or representatives of Catholic school boards.
At almost every juncture, the PBT has proposed creative solutions and proposals on how to continue moving the
process forward. And at almost every juncture, representatives from the government and Catholic school boards have refused to engage meaningfully, often saying “no” without presenting alternative suggestions.
After more than 12 months of bargaining, the scope of negotiations has still not been finalized and critical issues
– such as working and learning conditions, compensation, and rights – have not been substantively addressed.
As you have no doubt recognized from previous bargaining updates, the process has been slow – often
frustratingly so. The Ford Conservative government has not helped the situation – by introducing regulations
such as Policy/Program Memorandum (PPM) 168, which circumvented the bargaining process, and by Minister of
Education Stephen Lecce, who has launched a PR campaign to mislead the public about the nature and number
of discussions.
Ahead of the August 15 and 16 bargaining dates, OECTA President René Jansen in de Wal made it clear that it
was time for the government to finally show that they are serious, and to come to the negotiating table ready to
engage in meaningful discussions and to chart a path forward. President Jansen in de Wal also indicated that
following this set of bargaining dates, the PBT would develop recommendations about how to proceed.
These two bargaining sessions are now completed. Talks were respectful, but no real progress was made. The
PBT is deliberating and, in the coming days, will present the Provincial Executive with recommendations on next
steps.
Catholic teachers will receive further information in a confidential update next week.
It is critical that you continue to regularly check your personal email address for important updates,
and please encourage your fellow Catholic teachers to do the same.
If you know of any Catholic teachers who are not receiving email updates from OECTA Provincial
Office, please encourage them to visit catholicteachers.ca to register their personal email address.