Algoma Public Elementary Occasional Teachers Sign New Deal

November 2, 2005

Public elementary substitute teachers, members of the Algoma Occasional Teacher Local of the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO), ratified a tentative agreement yesterday evening.

“Respect for the dedication and professionalism of all school staff includes respect for those who may not work in the same locations every day. With this new four year deal the Algoma Board has shown in writing that respect,” said Emily Noble, ETFO President.

“Occasional Teachers are fully qualified teachers certified by the College of Teachers. The new agreement recognizes the experience and the qualifications that my members bring to the job every day. The remaining boards that ETFO is bargaining with currently have to realize that there will be no settlement unless there are significant improvements for our occasional teacher members,” Noble said.

“I think we have established a new relationship with the board. I look forward to implementing the new changes to the contract. I’m pleased that we are one of the first occasional teacher locals in ETFO to conclude negotiations. I hope our agreement can help the others to reach a settlement,” said Angela Plaunt, President of the ETFO Algoma Occasional Teacher Local.

The Algoma Occasional Teacher Local represents 212 public elementary occasional teachers. Their contracts ended August 31, 2004. The voting for a new collective agreement concluded yesterday evening.

The Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario represents 70,000 public elementary teachers and education workers across Ontario and is the largest teacher federation in Canada outside of Quebec.