Ontario S Offer To Education Workers Insufficient To Keep Up With Cost Of Living Union

TORONTO – The raises the province is offering teachers under a proposed four-year deal are not enough to keep up with the cost of living, the union representing public high school teachers said Thursday.
Karen Littlewood, president of the Ontario Federation of Secondary Educators, reviewed the proposal tabled by the government earlier this week in negotiations with the Canadian Union of Public Employees.
“I think it’s unfair,” he said.  “We at OSSTF, one-third of our members are education workers and fall into the same income bracket.”
The proposed deal, which would offer a two percent increase to education workers making less than $40,000 a year and a 1.25 percent increase to everyone else, gave a first indication of what the Progressive Conservative government is seeking in agreements are also being negotiated with the four major teacher unions.
Littlewood said her union is still in the early stages of negotiations and has yet to receive an offer from the province, but expects to see a similar proposal.
Offering only a 1.25 percent increase, after raises were capped at one percent for several years, “is not respectful of the work being done,” he said.
“We have a hard time keeping workers, hiring workers.  You’re not going to get them that way,” Littlewood said.
“It’s the same with health care.  It’s happening there faster than in education, but we have to see all these warning signs.”
In a statement Thursday, Education Minister Steven Lecce said the government’s goal is to provide a “stable, regular and more enjoyable school year that children in Ontario desperately need and deserve.”
“While we negotiate a four-year deal – a longer deal that offers stability to families and workers, we will continue to prioritize … making sure students are back in the classroom, with tutoring and mental health support,” he said.
CUPE has asked the province for annual raises of 11.7 per cent — or $3.25 an hour — arguing workers’ wages have been constrained over the past decade and inflation has been high.
A Lecce spokeswoman said earlier this week that CUPE is also asking for five extra paid days before the start of the school year, 30 minutes of paid preparation time each day and an increase in overtime pay from a 1.5 to 2 multiplier.
If the terms of the CUPE proposal were applied to all education contracts, it would cost taxpayers $21.8 billion over the proposed three years, Caitlin Clark said in a statement.
CUPE represents 55,000 workers, including kindergarten teachers, school administrators, bus drivers and custodians.
Previous contracts were subject to legislation known as Bill 124, introduced by the government in 2019, which caps wage increases at one per cent a year for three years for public sector workers.
Agreements for the five major education unions expire on August 31, and the terms of the first agreement reached in a round of negotiations often set the standard for the rest.
Barb Dobrowolski, president of the Ontario Association of Catholic Teachers of English, said she believes the government is “trying to lower expectations” during the negotiation process.
At the same time, negotiations are still in the early stages and it would be premature to draw conclusions about what might emerge, he said, particularly because OECTA only represents teachers and not other education workers.  The salary has not yet been discussed in the union’s talks with the province, he added.
He stressed, however, that teachers and workers across the province are feeling the squeeze as the cost of living rises.
The Ontario Federation of Elementary Teachers, meanwhile, said the government’s behavior during negotiations will be a “good litmus test” of its commitment to public education.
“We expect to see a government that negotiates in good faith and shows a proven commitment to public education,” ETFO president Karen Brown said Thursday in a speech at the association’s annual meeting.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published on August 18, 2022.

title: “Ontario S Offer To Education Workers Insufficient To Keep Up With Cost Of Living Union Klmat” ShowToc: true date: “2022-10-23” author: “Susan Mccrae”

TORONTO – The raises the province is offering teachers under a proposed four-year deal are not enough to keep up with the cost of living, the union representing public high school teachers said Thursday.
Karen Littlewood, president of the Ontario Federation of Secondary Educators, reviewed the proposal tabled by the government earlier this week in negotiations with the Canadian Union of Public Employees.
“I think it’s unfair,” he said.  “We at OSSTF, one-third of our members are education workers and fall into the same income bracket.”
The proposed deal, which would offer a two percent increase to education workers making less than $40,000 a year and a 1.25 percent increase to everyone else, gave a first indication of what the Progressive Conservative government is seeking in agreements are also being negotiated with the four major teacher unions.
Littlewood said her union is still in the early stages of negotiations and has yet to receive an offer from the province, but expects to see a similar proposal.
Offering only a 1.25 percent increase, after raises were capped at one percent for several years, “is not respectful of the work being done,” he said.
“We have a hard time keeping workers, hiring workers.  You’re not going to get them that way,” Littlewood said.
“It’s the same with health care.  It’s happening there faster than in education, but we have to see all these warning signs.”
In a statement Thursday, Education Minister Steven Lecce said the government’s goal is to provide a “stable, regular and more enjoyable school year that children in Ontario desperately need and deserve.”
“While we negotiate a four-year deal – a longer deal that offers stability to families and workers, we will continue to prioritize … making sure students are back in the classroom, with tutoring and mental health support,” he said.
CUPE has asked the province for annual raises of 11.7 per cent — or $3.25 an hour — arguing workers’ wages have been constrained over the past decade and inflation has been high.
A Lecce spokeswoman said earlier this week that CUPE is also asking for five extra paid days before the start of the school year, 30 minutes of paid preparation time each day and an increase in overtime pay from a 1.5 to 2 multiplier.
If the terms of the CUPE proposal were applied to all education contracts, it would cost taxpayers $21.8 billion over the proposed three years, Caitlin Clark said in a statement.
CUPE represents 55,000 workers, including kindergarten teachers, school administrators, bus drivers and custodians.
Previous contracts were subject to legislation known as Bill 124, introduced by the government in 2019, which caps wage increases at one per cent a year for three years for public sector workers.
Agreements for the five major education unions expire on August 31, and the terms of the first agreement reached in a round of negotiations often set the standard for the rest.
Barb Dobrowolski, president of the Ontario Association of Catholic Teachers of English, said she believes the government is “trying to lower expectations” during the negotiation process.
At the same time, negotiations are still in the early stages and it would be premature to draw conclusions about what might emerge, he said, particularly because OECTA only represents teachers and not other education workers.  The salary has not yet been discussed in the union’s talks with the province, he added.
He stressed, however, that teachers and workers across the province are feeling the squeeze as the cost of living rises.
The Ontario Federation of Elementary Teachers, meanwhile, said the government’s behavior during negotiations will be a “good litmus test” of its commitment to public education.
“We expect to see a government that negotiates in good faith and shows a proven commitment to public education,” ETFO president Karen Brown said Thursday in a speech at the association’s annual meeting.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published on August 18, 2022.

title: “Ontario S Offer To Education Workers Insufficient To Keep Up With Cost Of Living Union Klmat” ShowToc: true date: “2022-11-15” author: “Lynnette Britt”

TORONTO – The raises the province is offering teachers under a proposed four-year deal are not enough to keep up with the cost of living, the union representing public high school teachers said Thursday.
Karen Littlewood, president of the Ontario Federation of Secondary Educators, reviewed the proposal tabled by the government earlier this week in negotiations with the Canadian Union of Public Employees.
“I think it’s unfair,” he said.  “We at OSSTF, one-third of our members are education workers and fall into the same income bracket.”
The proposed deal, which would offer a two percent increase to education workers making less than $40,000 a year and a 1.25 percent increase to everyone else, gave a first indication of what the Progressive Conservative government is seeking in agreements are also being negotiated with the four major teacher unions.
Littlewood said her union is still in the early stages of negotiations and has yet to receive an offer from the province, but expects to see a similar proposal.
Offering only a 1.25 percent increase, after raises were capped at one percent for several years, “is not respectful of the work being done,” he said.
“We have a hard time keeping workers, hiring workers.  You’re not going to get them that way,” Littlewood said.
“It’s the same with health care.  It’s happening there faster than in education, but we have to see all these warning signs.”
In a statement Thursday, Education Minister Steven Lecce said the government’s goal is to provide a “stable, regular and more enjoyable school year that children in Ontario desperately need and deserve.”
“While we negotiate a four-year deal – a longer deal that offers stability to families and workers, we will continue to prioritize … making sure students are back in the classroom, with tutoring and mental health support,” he said.
CUPE has asked the province for annual raises of 11.7 per cent — or $3.25 an hour — arguing workers’ wages have been constrained over the past decade and inflation has been high.
A Lecce spokeswoman said earlier this week that CUPE is also asking for five extra paid days before the start of the school year, 30 minutes of paid preparation time each day and an increase in overtime pay from a 1.5 to 2 multiplier.
If the terms of the CUPE proposal were applied to all education contracts, it would cost taxpayers $21.8 billion over the proposed three years, Caitlin Clark said in a statement.
CUPE represents 55,000 workers, including kindergarten teachers, school administrators, bus drivers and custodians.
Previous contracts were subject to legislation known as Bill 124, introduced by the government in 2019, which caps wage increases at one per cent a year for three years for public sector workers.
Agreements for the five major education unions expire on August 31, and the terms of the first agreement reached in a round of negotiations often set the standard for the rest.
Barb Dobrowolski, president of the Ontario Association of Catholic Teachers of English, said she believes the government is “trying to lower expectations” during the negotiation process.
At the same time, negotiations are still in the early stages and it would be premature to draw conclusions about what might emerge, he said, particularly because OECTA only represents teachers and not other education workers.  The salary has not yet been discussed in the union’s talks with the province, he added.
He stressed, however, that teachers and workers across the province are feeling the squeeze as the cost of living rises.
The Ontario Federation of Elementary Teachers, meanwhile, said the government’s behavior during negotiations will be a “good litmus test” of its commitment to public education.
“We expect to see a government that negotiates in good faith and shows a proven commitment to public education,” ETFO president Karen Brown said Thursday in a speech at the association’s annual meeting.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published on August 18, 2022.

title: “Ontario S Offer To Education Workers Insufficient To Keep Up With Cost Of Living Union Klmat” ShowToc: true date: “2022-11-08” author: “Melvin Fennell”

TORONTO – The raises the province is offering teachers under a proposed four-year deal are not enough to keep up with the cost of living, the union representing public high school teachers said Thursday.
Karen Littlewood, president of the Ontario Federation of Secondary Educators, reviewed the proposal tabled by the government earlier this week in negotiations with the Canadian Union of Public Employees.
“I think it’s unfair,” he said.  “We at OSSTF, one-third of our members are education workers and fall into the same income bracket.”
The proposed deal, which would offer a two percent increase to education workers making less than $40,000 a year and a 1.25 percent increase to everyone else, gave a first indication of what the Progressive Conservative government is seeking in agreements are also being negotiated with the four major teacher unions.
Littlewood said her union is still in the early stages of negotiations and has yet to receive an offer from the province, but expects to see a similar proposal.
Offering only a 1.25 percent increase, after raises were capped at one percent for several years, “is not respectful of the work being done,” he said.
“We have a hard time keeping workers, hiring workers.  You’re not going to get them that way,” Littlewood said.
“It’s the same with health care.  It’s happening there faster than in education, but we have to see all these warning signs.”
In a statement Thursday, Education Minister Steven Lecce said the government’s goal is to provide a “stable, regular and more enjoyable school year that children in Ontario desperately need and deserve.”
“While we negotiate a four-year deal – a longer deal that offers stability to families and workers, we will continue to prioritize … making sure students are back in the classroom, with tutoring and mental health support,” he said.
CUPE has asked the province for annual raises of 11.7 per cent — or $3.25 an hour — arguing workers’ wages have been constrained over the past decade and inflation has been high.
A Lecce spokeswoman said earlier this week that CUPE is also asking for five extra paid days before the start of the school year, 30 minutes of paid preparation time each day and an increase in overtime pay from a 1.5 to 2 multiplier.
If the terms of the CUPE proposal were applied to all education contracts, it would cost taxpayers $21.8 billion over the proposed three years, Caitlin Clark said in a statement.
CUPE represents 55,000 workers, including kindergarten teachers, school administrators, bus drivers and custodians.
Previous contracts were subject to legislation known as Bill 124, introduced by the government in 2019, which caps wage increases at one per cent a year for three years for public sector workers.
Agreements for the five major education unions expire on August 31, and the terms of the first agreement reached in a round of negotiations often set the standard for the rest.
Barb Dobrowolski, president of the Ontario Association of Catholic Teachers of English, said she believes the government is “trying to lower expectations” during the negotiation process.
At the same time, negotiations are still in the early stages and it would be premature to draw conclusions about what might emerge, he said, particularly because OECTA only represents teachers and not other education workers.  The salary has not yet been discussed in the union’s talks with the province, he added.
He stressed, however, that teachers and workers across the province are feeling the squeeze as the cost of living rises.
The Ontario Federation of Elementary Teachers, meanwhile, said the government’s behavior during negotiations will be a “good litmus test” of its commitment to public education.
“We expect to see a government that negotiates in good faith and shows a proven commitment to public education,” ETFO president Karen Brown said Thursday in a speech at the association’s annual meeting.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published on August 18, 2022.

title: “Ontario S Offer To Education Workers Insufficient To Keep Up With Cost Of Living Union Klmat” ShowToc: true date: “2022-10-21” author: “Becky Nickles”

TORONTO – The raises the province is offering teachers under a proposed four-year deal are not enough to keep up with the cost of living, the union representing public high school teachers said Thursday.
Karen Littlewood, president of the Ontario Federation of Secondary Educators, reviewed the proposal tabled by the government earlier this week in negotiations with the Canadian Union of Public Employees.
“I think it’s unfair,” he said.  “We at OSSTF, one-third of our members are education workers and fall into the same income bracket.”
The proposed deal, which would offer a two percent increase to education workers making less than $40,000 a year and a 1.25 percent increase to everyone else, gave a first indication of what the Progressive Conservative government is seeking in agreements are also being negotiated with the four major teacher unions.
Littlewood said her union is still in the early stages of negotiations and has yet to receive an offer from the province, but expects to see a similar proposal.
Offering only a 1.25 percent increase, after raises were capped at one percent for several years, “is not respectful of the work being done,” he said.
“We have a hard time keeping workers, hiring workers.  You’re not going to get them that way,” Littlewood said.
“It’s the same with health care.  It’s happening there faster than in education, but we have to see all these warning signs.”
In a statement Thursday, Education Minister Steven Lecce said the government’s goal is to provide a “stable, regular and more enjoyable school year that children in Ontario desperately need and deserve.”
“While we negotiate a four-year deal – a longer deal that offers stability to families and workers, we will continue to prioritize … making sure students are back in the classroom, with tutoring and mental health support,” he said.
CUPE has asked the province for annual raises of 11.7 per cent — or $3.25 an hour — arguing workers’ wages have been constrained over the past decade and inflation has been high.
A Lecce spokeswoman said earlier this week that CUPE is also asking for five extra paid days before the start of the school year, 30 minutes of paid preparation time each day and an increase in overtime pay from a 1.5 to 2 multiplier.
If the terms of the CUPE proposal were applied to all education contracts, it would cost taxpayers $21.8 billion over the proposed three years, Caitlin Clark said in a statement.
CUPE represents 55,000 workers, including kindergarten teachers, school administrators, bus drivers and custodians.
Previous contracts were subject to legislation known as Bill 124, introduced by the government in 2019, which caps wage increases at one per cent a year for three years for public sector workers.
Agreements for the five major education unions expire on August 31, and the terms of the first agreement reached in a round of negotiations often set the standard for the rest.
Barb Dobrowolski, president of the Ontario Association of Catholic Teachers of English, said she believes the government is “trying to lower expectations” during the negotiation process.
At the same time, negotiations are still in the early stages and it would be premature to draw conclusions about what might emerge, he said, particularly because OECTA only represents teachers and not other education workers.  The salary has not yet been discussed in the union’s talks with the province, he added.
He stressed, however, that teachers and workers across the province are feeling the squeeze as the cost of living rises.
The Ontario Federation of Elementary Teachers, meanwhile, said the government’s behavior during negotiations will be a “good litmus test” of its commitment to public education.
“We expect to see a government that negotiates in good faith and shows a proven commitment to public education,” ETFO president Karen Brown said Thursday in a speech at the association’s annual meeting.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published on August 18, 2022.