April 24, 2009
DSBN, ETFO Niagara Reach Tentative Agreement
The District School Board of Niagara and the federation representing elementary school teachers in Niagara have reached a tentative agreement on a new collective bargaining contract.
Terms of the deal will be released pending a successful ratification vote. Ratification votes will be held within the next ten days.
Jim Morgan, DSBN Superintendent of Human Resources said both sides were focused on reaching an equitable settlement that enhances the educational opportunities for students in Niagara. “Both sides made considerable efforts to reach a fair and flexible agreement that addresses the needs of the system, teachers and supports the educational needs of our elementary students,” he said.
“We are delighted to have arrived at a fair agreement with the Board. I would like to recognize the considerable efforts of our bargaining committee whose constant and cohesive teamwork allowed us to reach this point in negotiations. The Board also showed a great commitment to understanding the issues that elementary teachers in Niagara are facing as they work diligently to support student success,” said Sharon Aloian, President, ETFO Niagara.
The DSBN serves more than 38 thousand students from Kindergarten to Grade 12 and employs over 2,400 teachers in 120 elementary and secondary schools across the Niagara region.