Statement From Minister Hunter Regarding Completion of Tentative Labour Agreements With Teachers and Education Workers

Today, Mitzie Hunter, Minister of Education, issued the following statement about the completion of tentative labour agreements with all teachers and education workers following tentative agreements reached with the Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation:

“We entered into discussions with our education partners to build upon the gains we’ve made in Ontario’s publicly funded education system and to continue to give students the best educational experience possible. Our goal with respect to any collective agreement is an agreement that promotes stability in the sector, is consistent with our fiscal plan, and achieves positive results for students and for those who work in the education system. The recent round of discussions with the Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation (OSSTF), the Ontario Public School Boards’ Association and the Council of Trustees’ Associations, was extremely collaborative and productive, and has resulted in tentative agreements to extend teacher and education worker contracts by two years. In addition to the tentative labour agreements, the government and OSSTF have reached a tentative agreement on remedy in respect of the Court’s ruling on the Putting Students First Act, 2012.  The remedy agreement is also subject to approval by OSSTF members.

The tentative agreements reached with OSSTF, ETFO, OCEW, OECTA, CUPE, AEFO and EWAO complete tentative labour agreements with all teachers and education workers and, if ratified, allow us to stay focused on what matters most: our students. We are still realizing the benefits from the last round of labour negotiations. We are focusing on our shared priorities and building upon the gains we’ve made in Ontario’s publicly funded education system. These gains include the highest graduation rate in the province’s history, strong literacy and reading results, and equipping students with the skills and knowledge they need today for tomorrow’s rapidly changing world.

Today’s news is proof to Ontario’s students and their parents that the adults involved in their education are working together and are focused on their path to success.”