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E a s t e r n   U p d a t e - Friday, October 31, 2008

STATUTORY TEACHER BARGAINING TOO SLOW:
P.D.T. FACILITATOR CALLED IN FOR HELP

After eight days of negotiations, most recently Wednesday and Thursday of this week, the teachers’ bargaining team left frustrated and disappointed that the top local issues, identified clearly in advance to the Board, have not yet been addressed seriously. For this reason the decision was taken to call in one of the facilitators provided under the Provincial Discussion Table Agreement, to help advance the status of negotiations.

Only two days are left scheduled for bargaining- November 12th and 13th. The concern is that this will be insufficient time to adequately address the outstanding items, and particularly, those that were identified by teachers when surveyed, as the ones of most importance. Meanwhile the November 30th deadline to reach a deal looms closer.

It is hoped that P.D.T. facilitator, Moe Jacobs, will be present at the November 12th meeting, and that he will be able to help the Board and the Teachers come closer to an agreement at that time.

The team would like to thank teachers for their continued expressions of encouragement and support in their efforts to secure a fair and just deal for members. The new collective agreement is expected to be in force for four years, through to August 31st, 2012.