Ontario Secondary Teachers Collective Agreement

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The Ontario Secondary Teachers Collective Agreement: What You Need to Know

The Ontario Secondary Teachers Collective Agreement is a legally binding document that governs the working conditions, wages, and benefits of teachers in the province of Ontario, Canada. This agreement is negotiated between the Ontario Secondary School Teachers` Federation (OSSTF) and the Government of Ontario.

The most recent agreement was reached on August 22, 2019, and covers the period from September 1, 2019, to August 31, 2022. Here are some key points you should know about the agreement:

Compensation

Under the agreement, teachers in Ontario will receive a 1% salary increase in each of the three years covered by the agreement. In addition, there are provisions for experience-based raises and cost-of-living adjustments.

Benefits

The agreement includes improvements to benefits for teachers, including increased coverage for paramedical services such as physiotherapy and chiropractic care, as well as improvements to vision care coverage.

Class Size and Composition

The agreement also includes provisions related to class size and composition. Under the agreement, the government has committed to maintaining the current class size caps of 22 students for grades 4-8 and 28 students for grades 9-12. The agreement also includes provisions to address class composition issues, including increased funding for special education and mental health services.

Professional Development

The agreement includes new provisions related to professional development for teachers. Under the agreement, teachers will have access to a new fund to support professional development activities, as well as increased opportunities for professional development during the school day.

Strike Action

Finally, the agreement includes provisions related to strike action. Under the agreement, the OSSTF is required to give at least five days` notice before any strike action takes place. The agreement also includes a dispute resolution mechanism to help prevent strikes from occurring in the first place.

In conclusion, the Ontario Secondary Teachers Collective Agreement is an important document that governs the working conditions and benefits of teachers in the province of Ontario. The most recent agreement provides for incremental salary increases, improvements to benefits, provisions related to class size and composition, increased professional development opportunities, and a mechanism for resolving disputes without resorting to strike action. It is an important tool for ensuring that teachers in Ontario are able to provide high-quality education to their students under fair and equitable working conditions.