Tentative agreement reached with the Ontario English Catholic Teachers Association Elementary Unit

The Durham Catholic District School Board is pleased to announce that it has reached a tentative settlement for a renewed collective agreement with its Elementary Teachers represented by the Ontario English Catholic Teachers Association (OECTA).   

The details of the settlement will remain confidential as they are subject to local ratification by the Board and OECTA Elementary Unit members. Board staff will bring the tentative settlement forward for ratification at the Regular Board Meeting on March 29, 2016.  

Theresa Corless, Chair of the Durham Catholic District School Board, extended her sincere appreciation to the bargaining committee for reaching a negotiated settlement, commenting that, “On behalf of the Board of Trustees and our stakeholders, I am pleased that our Elementary Teachers worked diligently with the Board to develop creative solutions throughout this bargaining process while maintaining our focus on student achievement and putting the needs of our students first."

Anne O’Brien, Director of Education, expressed her gratitude to the OECTA negotiating team for their “willingness to remain committed to the bargaining process and reach a negotiated settlement that recognizes the needs of students, parents and teachers, while maintaining student well-being and achievement as a priority." 

Melissa Cowen, President, OECTA Durham Elementary Unit said: “This was a long and difficult round of bargaining that nevertheless has led to a fair local agreement that will meet the needs of the Elementary Teachers in Durham.”

This tentative settlement represents the seventh collective agreement renewed between the Board and its Union affiliates under the province’s two-tiered bargaining system.