Hamilton Catholic high school teachers make deal

As many public high school teachers around the province prepare to boycott extra curricular activities in protest of Bill 115, Hamilton’s Catholic high school teachers have reached a tentative deal with the separate school board.

Sergio Cacoilo the president of the Ontario English Catholic Teachers’ Association’s Hamilton local says the agreement is consistent with a memorandum of understanding reached in July over Bill 115. Cacoilo says the teachers will accept a wage freeze for two years, and during the second year teachers will take three unpaid days off in lieu of taking a pay cut.

They also agreed to 10 sick days which they will no longer be allowed to accumulate, plus short term disability at 10 percent.

Patrick Daly from the Hamilton Wentworth Catholic District School Board says they’re pleased with the deal, which still needs to be ratified by its members and reviewed by the province to ensure it complies with Bill 115.

The unions representing public elementary and high school teachers have not reached a memorandum of understanding with the province, which is why many teachers are now implementing job action.

Video: Melissa Raftis talks to the president of the Hamilton OECTA local: