THUNDER BAY -- After two more days of negotiations, the Separate school board was unable to reach a contract agreement with the union representing its elementary school teachers.
Negotiations resumed this week between the Thunder Bay District Catholic School Board and the Ontario English Catholic Teachers Association after a nearly two-month hiatus.
After 33 hours of negotiations, both sides remained unable to reach an agreement.
Before bargaining resumed, officials from both sides said the seniority clause remained the key issue holding up a new deal.
In a news release issued to media Wednesday, officials with the union
“While there was significant progress during this session, a finalized deal was not struck and talks will be ongoing this week in the hopes of achieving a deal,” said Aldo Grillo, President of the Thunder Bay Elementary Unit of the Ontario English Catholic Teachers’ Association (OECTA), in a news release issued Wednesday.
“We are optimistic that a settlement can be reached with the school board in the coming days.”
Catholic elementary school teachers have been in a legal strike position since June.
The union confirmed in its news release that teachers would resume their work to rule.
The Thunder Bay Elementary Unit of OECTA represents approximately 380 members in 18 Catholic elementary schools in the City of Thunder Bay and is the Thunder Bay CDS Board’s largest workgroup.
