Tentative agreement reached between province and education workers

The Ontario Public School Boards’ Association (OPSBA) said that the Education Workers’ Alliance of Ontario (EWAO) have successfully negotiated a tentative agreement with the provincial government.

“The parties worked hard together at the table to reach a fair and responsible agreement that will help ensure that we keep students in the classroom,” 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.”

Education Minister Stephen Lecce said that this is another example of “our government demonstrating a reasonableness and focus on our students at the bargaining table.”

“This tentative agreement, reached by all parties, delivers on our mandate to be reasonable, to focus on students, and to keep them in class where they belong,” Lecce said.

“As shown with EWAO, and CUPE earlier, our government has remained a constructive force at the table working hard to ensure parents have the predictability they deserve.”

The details of the agreement remain confidential until ratified by all parties.

The EWAO is composed of the Association des enseignantes et des enseignants franco-ontariens; Association of Professional Student Services Personnel; Dufferin-Peel Education Resource Workers’ Association; Educational Assistants Association; Halton District Educational Assistants Association; Service Employees’ International Union, Local 2; and Unite Here, Local 273.

OPSBA said it will continue to negotiate with the other unions representing teachers and education workers, with the best interests of students in mind.