The Upper Grand District School Board and the Upper Grand Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO) Occasional Teachers’ local have ratified a four-year contract agreement running from Sept. 1, 2004 to August 31, 2008.

“We rely on our occasional teachers to ensure that student learning continues in as seamless a manner as possible when a regular teacher is out of the classroom,” said Board chair Bob Borden. “We’re pleased that we’ve reached a settlement that supports students, as well as the interests of both the teachers and our board.”

Marina Howlett, president of the Occasional Teachers unit said: “We enjoy a positive bargaining relationship with the board and are pleased that the new agreement recognizes the importance of wage parity with our counterparts, and supports our professional development needs. This can only be good for the students.”

Highlights of the contract include:

 increases in the number of occasional teachers that can be employed by the board

 salary increases over the four years of the contract equivalent to those negotiated for full time elementary teachers based on a percentage of a regular teachers’ salary, and effective September 2005, equivalent to that of secondary occasional teachers;

 an allowance of $3,500 to be paid annually by the board to the local for professional development for its membership;

 eligibility for occasional teachers to receive extended health and dental benefits on the same basis as regular elementary teachers after 96 consecutive days of teaching.

The agreement also includes a letter of understanding directing union and board to review the operation of the automated dispatch system used to deploy occasional teachers, and the issue of unfilled positions in specialty subject areas.

The tentative settlement was reached on November 9, ratified by the teachers on November 17 and by trustees at a special board meeting held on Tuesday.

Bargaining began on September 28, 2005 and included six sessions.

The Upper Grand ETFO local represents almost 500 public elementary occasional teachers.