Various media reports state that Toronto's secondary teachers could strike this fall. We hope not. And that is why we are continuing to negotiate a fair collective bargaining agreement. Here are some frequently asked questions about the negotiations.
Q. Under the Provincial Discussion Table (PDT) Agreement, what benefits would secondary teachers receive if a new Collective Agreement is reached with the Board?
Secondary teachers would receive a salary increase of 3% per year for 4 years (a total of 12.55% when compounded), an enhanced employee benefits package, as well as additional teachers for the system, which would reduce maximum class size caps over the course of the four-year agreement.
Q. Is the TDSB asking for an increase in supervision and coverage time for secondary teachers?
No. The current TDSB Collective Agreement allows schools to use a maximum of 37 half periods (each half-period is approximately 40 minutes) per school year per teacher for on-call coverage and supervision. However, there are restrictions in the current Collective Agreement affecting how schools are allowed to use that time. The Board is proposing to lower the cap and have greater flexibility in being able to use coverage. Lower numbers have been proposed, but given that negotiations are ongoing, what the number will be is dependent on the outcome of continued negotiations.
Q: What were the issues that the Board and OSSTF could not agree on?
The sticking point in these negotiations has been teacher supervision and coverage time.
Q. Why is the issue of supervision so important for TDSB?
Our students are our first priority and TDSB is committed to making the best use of our resources to ensure safe, nurturing and inclusive learning environments. Teachers’ visibility and leadership in all areas of the school is essential to providing a reassuring presence for students in their schools
TDSB believes that the teacher-student relationship is one of the most important factors affecting positive student outcomes. Supervision and coverage gives teachers and students more opportunity to interact outside of their own classrooms. Building relationships and establishing personal connections with students throughout the school enhances the learning environment for all members of the school community.
Q. What does “greater flexibility” mean?
Under the current Collective Agreement, principals are not permitted to assign “regularly scheduled supervision” for teachers during a lunch period, or in libraries, hallways or computer labs. Also, a teacher may not be assigned to cover for a teacher who is absent for the whole school day. This includes situations when a teacher may only need coverage for one or two classes during the school day or an emergency situation when an Occasional Teacher is not available.
Every teacher who is absent still will be required to call in for an occasional teacher. However, in rare circumstances where an occasional teacher does not pick up the assignment, the Board is looking for flexibility to assign coverage. TDSB is asking for these restrictions to be relaxed so that principals will have more ability to arrange coverage and supervision according to the needs of their school.
Q. Would teacher preparation time be affected if the restrictions on supervision and coverage time are changed?
No.
Q. Why were the restrictions necessary in the first place?
The previous provincial government increased the secondary teacher instructional load from 6 credits to 6.67 credits of instructional time. The restrictions were added when the current Collective Agreement was negotiated in 2001 to offset the impact of that increase on teachers.
The present government subsequently reduced teachers’ instructional load to the current levels. However, the restrictions were retained in the language of the Collective Agreement.
Q. How can I stay up-to-date with what is happening?
The regular school routine will continue for all staff and students once schools reopen in September for the 2009-10 school year. No job action has been announced at this time. We will keep you informed on our website at www.tdsb.on.ca/negotiations. Updates will be recorded on the Negotiations Hotline at (416) 395-3931 and letters will be sent home if necessary. Also, please visit www.jamespasternak.ca on a regular basis.
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