Members of the Ontario English Catholic Teachers Association picket outside (January 21, 2020). (Photo by Maureen Revait)Members of the Ontario English Catholic Teachers Association picket outside (January 21, 2020). (Photo by Maureen Revait)
London

Province, Catholic teachers reach deal

The Ford government can check one of the teachers' unions off its list of those it needs to reach an agreement with.

The union representing English Catholic teachers announced Thursday afternoon that it has reached a tentative deal with the province. The Ontario English Catholic Teachers Association said the details of the agreement will not be released to the public until after members have voted on it.

"In accordance with the Association’s ratification procedures, should the OECTA Provincial Executive and local unit presidents recommend approval, Catholic teachers will participate in a province-wide vote on April 7 and 8," the union said in a statement issued Thursday.

OECTA also said that all strike action by Catholic school teachers is suspended, effective immediately.

"We are very pleased that today, following many months of bargaining, the Ontario Catholic School Trustees' Association (OCSTA), the provincial government and the Ontario English Catholic Teachers' Association reached a tentative collective agreement. The tentative agreement reflects the commitment of all negotiating parties to the well-being and progress of all students and staff in Catholic schools throughout Ontario," the OCSTA said in a statement.

Following the announcement from OECTA, Minister of Education Stephen Lecce echoed the positive sentiment that an agreement had been reached between the two parties.

"As part of our Government's singular focus to ending this impasse, we took action to advance the priorities of students and parents and provide fairness to teachers," said Lecce.

The Ontario government still needs to reach agreements with the Ontario Secondary School Teachers Federation, the Elementary Teachers Federation of Ontario, and the union that represents teachers at French-language schools.

"The time is now to drive deals with all remaining union partners as parents expect action, not delays. We agree and will remain a positive and driving force at the bargaining table, advancing the priorities of parents and students," said Lecce.

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