AVON MAITLAND DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD
AMDSB and OSSTF Reach Tentative Collective Agreements

The Avon Maitland District School Board (AMDSB) and Ontario Secondary School Teachers' Federation (OSSTF) affiliates are pleased to announce the successful conclusion of negotiations with our dedicated staff. Dates for reaching the tentative agreements and planned ratification are in brackets:

• Ontario Secondary School Teachers' Federation - OSSTF (3 groups):
• Educational Support Staff Professionals - ESSP (March 21 and April 2, 2024)
• Professional Student Services Personnel - PSSP (March 21 and April 2, 2024)
• Teachers' Bargaining Unit - TBU (March 20 and April 12, 2024)

Contract details will remain confidential until both parties complete their respective ratification processes.

Throughout the negotiation process, all parties maintained a spirit of mutual respect and cooperation, underscoring the shared goal of advancing outcomes for all AMDSB students. The discussions were constructive, with thoughtful consideration of various perspectives, and a genuine dedication to the well-being of our staff and students alike. "Reaching these tentative collective agreements exemplifies the board's commitment to fostering an environment that values and prioritizes the invaluable contributions of our team towards enhancing student outcomes. Our bargaining team expresses sincere appreciation to the staff representatives for their unwavering commitment and collaborative approach." said Laura Marotta, Superintendent of Human Resource Services.

"With this tentative agreement, our members, the students they serve, and our community can feel confident that the supports learners need will be there. Despite challenges from a provincial funding model that continues to shortchange the public education system in our province, our members remain committed to being a vital part of the educational team and this tentative deal is a testament to that." said Carrie de Graaf, President, OSSTF - ESSP.

"The Professional Student Services Personnel of District 8 provide vital supports for the students in the Avon Maitland District School Board. We are pleased that the employer has worked with us to ensure the continued success of our students. While the services we provide are woefully underfunded, we are pleased with the outcome of this round of negotiations and look forward to bringing this tentative agreement to our members for a ratification vote in the coming weeks." said Terri Corriveau, President, OSSTF - PSSP.

"Discussions were as productive as possible, given the profound impacts of continued reductions in Provincial education funding affecting school boards across the province. Both sides did their best to work around funding restrictions to find a path forward that supports student learning and that benefits workers," said Maureen Matchett, President, OSSTF - TBU.

At AMDSB, we firmly believe that our staff are the cornerstone of our success, and their tireless efforts play a pivotal role in shaping the future of our students. As we move forward, we remain steadfast in our commitment to providing our staff with the support, resources, and recognition they deserve, as we continue to work together towards our shared vision of educational excellence.

The tentative agreements, if ratified, would complete the local portion of the two-pronged contract talks, as per the School Board Collective Bargaining Act. The central portion of the agreement is currently in the provincial arbitration process.

Notes:

• The OSSTF District 8 ESSP Bargaining Unit represents over 600 members including Child and Youth Workers, Designated Early Childhood Educators, Educational Assistants, Office/Clerical staff, and Tech/TRA staff.
• The OSSTF District 8 PSSP Bargaining Unit represents 12 members including Attendance Counsellors, Speech-Language Pathologists, and Psychologists/Psychometrists.
• The OSSTF District 8 TBU Bargaining Unit represents over 400 Secondary Teachers, Secondary Occasional Teachers, and Continuing Education Teachers.