On August 20th, 2019, the Ontario Secondary School Teachers` Federation (OSSTF) reached an agreement with the Ontario government regarding teacher compensation and working conditions. The agreement includes details on salary increases, workload limits, and benefits for members of the OSSTF.
One of the key provisions of the agreement is a 1% salary increase for teachers in each of the three years covered by the contract – 2017-2018, 2018-2019, and 2019-2020. This increase is in line with the government`s goal of capping public sector compensation increases at 1% per year to help reduce the province`s deficit.
The agreement also includes new limits on teacher workload. Teachers will now be limited to teaching no more than two different courses per semester, which will help reduce the amount of time spent on lesson planning and preparation. Additionally, the agreement provides for more preparation time for teachers, which will enable them to better focus on student learning.
Another key aspect of the agreement is the protection of teacher benefits, which include sick leave, maternity/paternity leave, and professional development opportunities. The agreement ensures that these benefits will not be reduced or eliminated, providing job security for OSSTF members.
Overall, the OSSTF agreement is a positive development for teachers in Ontario. The 1% salary increase provides a modest boost to compensation, while the workload limits and increased preparation time will help reduce teacher burnout and improve student outcomes. Additionally, the protections for benefits underscore the importance of valuing and retaining experienced educators.