Finance and Treasury Board Minister Ernie Steeves and Education and Early Childhood Development Minister Bill Hogan met with representatives from the New Brunswick Teachers' Federation on September 28 to sign a new collective agreement.
Seated, from left: Steeves and Kerry Leopkey, the federation's executive director. Standing, from left: Hogan; David McTimoney, superintendent of Anglophone West School District; Marlene Noel, director of schools, Miramichi; Gilles Lurette, director of schools, Campbellton; and Jennifer Gordon-Johnson, negotiator/lawyer, Finance and Treasury Board.
"It is a great day, and I would like to thank negotiating teams on both sides for working diligently to reach this new agreement," said Steeves. "This agreement addresses some important concerns such as recruitment, retention and instructional time, as well as wage adjustments."
The agreement includes wage increases of 15 per cent over five years, retroactive to 2021, with semi-annual increases in both 2024 and 2025. Additionally, the entry wage and the maximum salary have been increased.
During the current school year, parties have agreed to review current practices around weather-related school closures. A committee will be formed and have an opportunity to make recommendations to the government.
At the start of the 2024-25 school year, students from kindergarten to Grade 2 will receive one additional hour of instruction per day. Teachers will also be allocated additional preparation time, which is meant to help with planning and enhance the quality of education.
"Teachers have an important role to play when it comes to guiding our children and youth and helping instil a passion for learning," said Hogan. "This new agreement recognizes that, and also allows us to continue working toward our goal of building a better education system for all New Brunswickers."
The new collective agreement is for years 2021-26, and covers more than 7,800 employees in the public school system whose previous collective agreement expired in February 2021.
All collective agreements with the provincial government are available online.
