The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), Local 1369 and the Sudbury Catholic District School Board have ratified a new
three year collective agreement with its custodial, maintenance and warehouse staff (retroactive) from September 1, 2006 to August 31, 2009. The new agreement includes the following wage increases; 2.5 percent in the first year, 3 percent in the second year and 2 percent in year three. The agreement ensures that the stable and co-operative work environment will continue at the Board’s 24 Catholic elementary and secondary schools.

On Sunday, March 18, 2007 the union membership voted in favour of the tentative settlement and on Tuesday, March 20, 2007 Trustees for the Sudbury District School Board approved the new contract.

David Chezzi, National Representative and Associate Coordinator for the OSBCC stated that, “when both parties began negotiations there was a willingness on both sides to come to an agreement without having to resort to work interruptions, a strike or lockout and/or arbitration.”

Paula Peroni, Chair of the Board’s negotiating committee and Board Chair is pleased with the fact that the contract has been ratified by the membership. “The fact that the majority of the CUPE membership voted in favour of the agreement is extremely encouraging,” stated Peroni. “It reflects the outcome of the goodwill demonstrated by both parties throughout the negotiation process.”

We congratulate the Minister of Education for the timely announcement of the Grants for Student Needs. Receiving this information in mid-March will greatly assist school boards in the 2007-08 budget planning process,” said Paula Peroni, Vice President of the Ontario Catholic School Trustees’ Association (OCSTA).

“Today’s announcement contained news regarding a number of initiatives that are good for Ontario students including funding to support improved Aboriginal student outcomes and more flexible implementation guidelines to assist boards in meeting Primary Class Size standards,” explained Peroni.

OCSTA is pleased that the Ministry of Education maintained its commitment to funding the fourth year of the provincial framework for education and we are encouraged by the continued priority focus on education. This announcement does not, however, address the need for updated funding benchmarks. Funding shortfalls in such areas as employee benefits, special education and student transportation will create financial challenges for some school boards across the province as they plan their budgets for 2007-08.

OCSTA will monitor and analyze the impact of these announcements on schools boards and will continue to work closely with the Minister of Education to ensure that boards have the necessary resources to meet the needs for student success.

The Ontario Catholic School Trustees’ Association is the provincial voice for Catholic education. Founded in 1930, OCSTA represents Catholic school boards that collectively educate more than 600,000 students in Ontario, from Junior Kindergarten to Grade 12.