Opening Statement



Wednesday 8 August 2012

TCDSB Agrees to TSU OECTA PDT!


The TCDSB [Toronto Catholic District School Board] last night set an important precedent by becoming the first Catholic school board to agree to CB [Collective Bargaining] negotiations based on the OECTA PDT MOU terms of agreement. As our OECTA TSU members should know, our local CB team has been ready for some time now, so I'd consider the negotiations a go. Will TSU and the TCDSB be able to reach a contract by the MOE's [Ministry of Labour] August 31 deadline? Is that even absolutely necessary? The previous, more reasonable date was set for the beginning of January. Let's see what happens!

Here are some quick fix links to the unfolding story from  the local and provincial media, Twitter, and so on. I have just previously posted an important blog I am hoping you will still read. However, I'm betting that for now, you are looking for info and links to the breaking TCDSB news story. Please do read my last blog. Also note I will add some more commentary to this here posting later, as there are some very important issues I'd like to further bring to your attention. Here then are your quick fix media links:

Here's the official  TCDSB press release. The board emphasizes it has agreed to the PDT terms so as to reduce uncertainty for our students, and to support their parents, staff and community. See:
http://www.tcdsb.org/News/NewsReleases/Documents/2012-08-18_TCDSB_Trustees_Approve_Ontario_Government_Memorandum_of_Understanding_with_Teachers.pdf

The Toronto Star news report also notes that the TCDSB can now also reach it's long sought after goal of eliminating retirement gratuities and our sick bank days. See:
http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/education/article/1238593--toronto-catholic-board-approves-teacher-deal

The Globe and Mail focuses on the applications for conciliation being made by many of the other boards. They feel that the PDT terms create an irreconcilable gap between them and the local teachers union. See:
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/education/labour-strife-looms-for-mcguinty-as-lone-catholic-board-accepts-deal/article4468819/?cmpid=rss1

This Toronto Sun expresses concern for the school boards, alas, loss of "management rights and due process." under the PDT. Hold your nose and read. See: http://www.torontosun.com/2012/08/07/an-unconciliatory-move

I know. I know. Toronto is not the centre of everyone's universe. Meanwhile the Oakville Beaver provides this not so chipper update on the MOE's "unrealistic deadlines" as they affect the Halton District School Board. See:
http://www.insidehalton.com/community/education/article/1456503--deadline-is-unrealistic-educators

The Catholic Register, of course, weighs in on the school board and trustees side. OECTA Provincial President Kevin Dwyer does an excellent job in taking to task the red herring concerns about PDT fair hiring practices and teacher professionalism. Very well done. See:
http://www.catholicregister.org/news/canada/item/14938-oecta-province-agreement-under-fire-from-local-boards

More to come! I'd been working on a blog about the London Catholic board situation and will also use that here. Till later........................

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