Ontario high school teachers finish contract talks without wage deal: ‘The Ford government is still refusing to invest in education’
Toronto Star – October 26, 2023
Contract talks have wrapped up between the province and the union representing Ontario’s public high school teachers — meaning an arbitrator will now settle all outstanding issues.
With a Friday deadline looming, the Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation (OSSTF) and the province held final negotiations on Wednesday and while progress was made, no further talks were scheduled.
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New education workers agreement only solves one piece of crisis puzzle facing local schools, says union
The Peterborough Examiner – October 25, 2023
Public elementary education workers have approved a new contract including salary increases, job security and a Supports for Student Fund, but it’s only a piece of the crisis puzzle occurring in Ontario schools.
“We had EA (educational assistant) positions posted last year that were never filled,” said Kawartha Pine Ridge Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO) president David Berger. “The money was there to hire them all, just not the bodies.”
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OPSBA Ratifies Agreement Reached With ETFO Education Workers
Muskoka 411 – October 24, 2023
The Ontario Public School Boards’ Association (OPSBA) is pleased to announce that it has ratified the tentative agreement that was reached with ETFO Education Workers on September 22, 2023.
“This agreement acknowledges the significance of education workers in our schools and values the daily contributions they make to enhance students’ educational experience,” said OPSBA President Cathy Abraham. “Education workers play an important role in our schools, and this agreement is a recognition that we value the contribution they make to the educational experience of our students every day.”
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Ontario elementary school education workers vote in favour of 4-year contract deal
Toronto Star – October 23, 2023
Education workers represented by the country’s largest teachers’ union have ratified a four-year deal reached with the province and school boards.
The Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario released the result Monday afternoon, saying 80 per cent voted in favour of the contract that is retroactive to September 2021 and runs until August 2026.
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OPSBA Reps Tour NNDSB Facilities, Observe Programs
muskoka411.com – October 17, 2023
Cathy Abraham, president, and Stephanie Donaldson, executive director of the Ontario Public School Boards’ Association (OPSBA), spent a day and a half touring Near North District School Board (NNDSB) facilities, and learning about unique initiatives in the district.
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Closed in, stuffy and disconnected: Why do Hamilton schools have so many portables?
Hamilton Spectator – October 17, 2023
They can be stuffy, feel disconnected from the rest of the school and are often a long way from the bathroom. Portables are “hated” by most parents, a former board chair says.
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Indigenous student trustees to meet for first time in the Sault
Sootoday.com – October 12, 2023
Indigenous public school board trustees are lauding the province for approving funding to bring together Indigenous student trustees for the first time in Sault Ste. Marie this week. But they’re still waiting for a meeting with the education minister, who they say didn’t attend their yearly in-person meeting in Toronto nearly two months ago.
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Want to weigh in about the Ford government’s new changes to schools and skilled trades? Here’s your chance
Toronto Star – October 4, 2023
The Education Ministry is now consulting on a number of controversial changes — including having a say in boards selling off unused schools, as well as performance appraisals for directors of education — and will soon be seeking input on a plan to make it easier for students to enter the skilled trades while also earning a diploma.
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