Ontario English Catholic school teachers reach deal with province

The union representing Ontario's English Catholic school teachers said today it has reached a tentative deal with the province. 

The Ontario English Catholic Teachers' Association (OECTA), which represents some 50,000 elementary and secondary school teachers, said there will be a media blackout on the details of the deal until it's ratified.

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"We appreciate the government's efforts and those of the Catholic school trustees in reaching this tentative agreement," OECTA president Ann Hawkins said in a news release.

"We worked hard to address the concerns of our members and believe this agreement will protect them as well as the quality of education in our schools." 

The union will stop work-to-rule actions that had begun at one school in Moosonee during the ratification process.

Ontario Education Minister Liz Sandals said in a news release that she's pleased with the deal.

"The tentative agreement is the result of hard work and the willingness of all parties to resolve difficult issues prior to the start of the school year," Sandals said.

Neither the OECTA nor the province would provide details of the deal, as it remains subject to ratification, but Sandals said it meets the government's "net-zero" bargaining framework, which ensures any salary increases are offset through the collective agreement. 

Ontario secondary school teachers reached a deal with the province last week.

The Elementary Teachers' Federation of Ontario (ETFO), which represents 78,000 educators, remain in a legal strike position. The union says more talks are scheduled with the province on Sept. 1. 

Sandals said the government is committed to making a deal with ETFO before the school year begins.