Bluewater Public Elementary Occasional Teachers Vote YES

November 22, 2005

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

"Better compensation, improved working conditions and respect for the teaching skills of substitute teachers are all here in this new agreement," said Emily Noble, ETFO President.

"The Bluewater District School Board has shown that even smaller boards can afford to negotiate reasonable agreements. Occasional Teachers are fully qualified teachers certified by the College of Teachers. This new agreement recognizes the experience and the qualifications that my members bring to the job every day. The compensation and the method of calculation for a new daily rate spells respect in my book," Noble said.

"This agreement benefits my members but it also ensures high quality student learning continues every day with qualified professionals who feel they are respected by their employer," said Ross Haley, President of the ETFO Bluewater Occasional Teacher Local.

The Bluewater Occasional Teacher Local represents 310 public elementary occasional teachers. Their contract 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.