Support workers, early childhood educators reach deal with province

The Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO) has reached a tentative agreement at the central bargaining table on behalf of designated early childhood educators (DECEs), education support personnel (ESP) and professional support personnel (PSP).

The tentative agreement was reached with the government and the Council of Trustees’ Associations made up of representatives of the Ontario Public School Boards’ Association and the Ontario Catholic School Trustees’ Association.

ETFO DECE, ESP and PSP members have been without a contract since August 31, 2014 – almost 15 months.

“Under the new process for bargaining, we had two central tables virtually proceeding at the same time. While the process has been difficult, we achieved a tentative agreement for our DECE, ESP and PSP members,” said ETFO president Sam Hammond, in a press release.

“They will vote on this tentative deal in the coming weeks. All our DECE, ESP and PSP members play a fundamental role in ensuring quality services and optimal learning conditions for students, especially those in Kindergarten and those with special needs.”

ETFO will review the tentative agreement with its local leaders and members before making further comments to the media.

The Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario represents 78,000 elementary public school teachers, occasional teachers and education professionals across the province.