Ontario makes changes to education sector collective bargaining

Bill makes negotiations more flexible, transparent and consistent: Government

Ontario makes changes to education sector collective bargaining
First introduced in February, amendments to the act were made after consultations with bargaining partners and recommendations from the auditor general. SHUTTERSTOCK

the province of Ontario said it has changed the model for collective bargaining in the education sector by making it more flexible, transparent and consistent.

On March 23, the province passed amendments to the School Boards Collective Bargaining Act.

Changes to the legislation — which governs collective bargaining in the education sector — include:

•        allowing collective agreements to be extended

•        giving students and parents more notice of labour disruptions

•        ensuring all education workers' unions participate in central bargaining.

First introduced in February, amendments to the act were made after consultations with bargaining partners and recommendations from the auditor general.

Recently, the province, trustees’ associations, teacher federations and education worker unions reached tentative agreements to extend the 2014 to 2017 collective agreements for two more years.

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