The Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO) has reached a tentative agreement with the Ontario government. The agreement, which still needs to be ratified by both parties, comes after months of negotiations and a province-wide strike by teachers.
So, what are the details of the agreement?
Salary
The tentative agreement includes a salary increase for teachers. According to ETFO, the agreement provides for a 1% salary increase in the first year, a 1.5% increase in the second year, and a 1.5% increase in the third year.
Class Size
One of the key issues in the negotiations was class size. The previous government had instituted larger class sizes, which ETFO had been fighting against. The tentative agreement includes a commitment to maintain current class sizes in the primary grades (K-3) and a review of class sizes in the junior and intermediate grades (4-8). The review will take place with the goal of improving student learning conditions.
Benefits
The agreement also includes an improvement in benefits for ETFO members. The tentative agreement includes an increase in personal leave days for teachers, and an increase in bereavement leave. The agreement also includes new provisions for teachers who are victims of domestic violence.
E-learning
E-learning was another issue that was contentious in the negotiations. The tentative agreement includes a commitment to maintain the number of e-learning courses that are offered in Ontario. ETFO had been pushing for a reduction in e-learning, arguing that it is not an effective way for students to learn.
Job Security
The tentative agreement includes provisions for job security for teachers. The agreement includes the creation of a job security and seniority committee that will meet regularly to discuss job security issues.
Conclusion
While the agreement still needs to be ratified, it is a positive step forward for ETFO and the Ontario government. The agreement addresses some of the key issues that had been raised by ETFO and provides for improvements in salary, benefits, and job security for teachers. The commitment to maintaining class sizes in the primary grades and the review of class sizes in the junior and intermediate grades is a positive step towards improving student learning conditions. Overall, the tentative agreement is a positive development for both teachers and students in Ontario.