THUNDER BAY -- Despite optimism heading into the latest bargaining session, there is still no contract deal between the Thunder Bay Catholic District School Board and its elementary school teachers.
Aldo Grillo, president of the Thunder Bay unit of the Ontario Elementary Catholic Teachers Association, on Friday said a marathon 33-hour negotiation session produced progress, but no change on the part of the board to address the key issue in the talks – the internal placement of teachers.
Discussions on this matter, which have led to work-to-rule conditions by the teachers, have proven fruitless, Grillo said in an email released to media.
“We are truly disappointed and perplexed at the board’s absolute refusal to consider a teacher’s experience as part of the criteria when selecting from applicants for internal, posted positions.” Grillo said. “The union has moved significantly on this issue but the board has refused to compromise in any way.”
Teachers have been in a legal strike position since June and say they will continue their work-to-rule protest until a contract is reached to cover the period between 2014 and 2017.
With only eight months left before this contract period ends, Grillo said it’s frustrating to all involved, especially students and their families.
“Parents should be extremely upset at the board’s inability to find a way to get past this hurdle,” Grillo said.
“This employer claims to value and respect its teachers – the time to prove that it is long overdue.”
About 380 teachers are affected in 18 schools.
A call for comment has been placed to the board.
