OECTA

Catholic Teachers Ratify Agreement on Central Terms

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, March 27, 2024
Learning, School, Mental health, Government, Student, Settlement, Memorandum, OECTA, Catholic Church, Violence, Tutoring

TORONTO, March 27, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Ontario English Catholic Teachers’ Association (OECTA) has released the following statement from President René Jansen in de Wal, announcing that the Association’s 45,000 Catholic-teacher members have ratified the agreement on central terms for a new contract.

Key Points: 
  • TORONTO, March 27, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Ontario English Catholic Teachers’ Association (OECTA) has released the following statement from President René Jansen in de Wal, announcing that the Association’s 45,000 Catholic-teacher members have ratified the agreement on central terms for a new contract.
  • “This was a long and challenging round of negotiations, with more than 20 months of bargaining and 58 days at the bargaining table.
  • Our goal in this round of negotiations – as always – was to reach the best possible deal to better support all students and teachers, to address critical issues identified by Catholic teachers, and improve the learning and working environment that students and teachers need to succeed.
  • The Memorandum of Settlement of Central Terms has been agreed to by the Government of Ontario; however, it still requires ratification from the Ontario Catholic School Trustees' Association (OCSTA).

Glaring Omission: Ford Government Budget Ignores Teachers, Failing Students Yet Again

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, March 26, 2024
Learning, Achievement Medal, Mental, Education, School, Mental health, Ford, Student, Investment, Love, Conservatism, OECTA, Government, Catholic Church, Violence, Tutoring

It is Ontario’s teachers that make our schools world class, and this budget does nothing to support the critical work that they do.

Key Points: 
  • It is Ontario’s teachers that make our schools world class, and this budget does nothing to support the critical work that they do.
  • But to be at our best, we need a government that makes education and students a priority.
  • A government that makes the real investments necessary to foster healthier schools for students and teachers alike.
  • Instead, Ontarians have the Ford Conservative government, which would rather use the budget to paper over its failings with cheap accounting tricks to hide its growing inflationary cuts to education.

Media Advisory

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, March 7, 2024
OECTA, Annual

Toronto, March 07, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- What:                     OECTA Annual General Meeting

Key Points: 
  • Toronto, March 07, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- What:                     OECTA Annual General Meeting
    OECTA President René Jansen in de Wal will be available for questions following Dr. DiNovo’s address.
  • More than 800 participants will attend the Annual General Meeting as representatives of OECTA’s 45,000 members.
  • Over the course of the three-day meeting, delegates will hear from guest speakers and attend to the business of the Association.
  • OECTA represents the 45,000 passionate and qualified teachers in Ontario’s publicly funded English Catholic schools, from Kindergarten to Grade 12.

Catholic Teachers Reach Tentative Agreement

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, March 5, 2024
Catholic Church, Government, School, OECTA, Student

TORONTO, March 05, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Ontario English Catholic Teachers’ Association (OECTA) has released the following statement from President René Jansen in de Wal, announcing that the Association has reached a tentative agreement for its 45,000 Catholic-teacher members with the Government of Ontario and the Ontario Catholic School Trustees’ Association (OCSTA).

Key Points: 
  • TORONTO, March 05, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Ontario English Catholic Teachers’ Association (OECTA) has released the following statement from President René Jansen in de Wal, announcing that the Association has reached a tentative agreement for its 45,000 Catholic-teacher members with the Government of Ontario and the Ontario Catholic School Trustees’ Association (OCSTA).
  • “After a difficult round of negotiations, with more than 20 months of bargaining, Catholic teachers have reached a tentative agreement with the Government of Ontario and OCSTA on central terms for a new collective agreement.
  • We want to thank Catholic teachers, as well as the students and families we serve, for their patience during this exceptionally long bargaining period.
  • In accordance with the Association’s ratification procedures, should the OECTA Provincial Executive and local unit presidents recommend approval, Catholic teachers will participate in a province-wide vote on March 26 and 27.”
    OECTA represents the 45,000 passionate and qualified teachers in Ontario’s publicly funded English Catholic schools, from Kindergarten to Grade 12.

Catholic Teachers File for Conciliation to Continue to Work Towards a Fair, Negotiated Agreement

Retrieved on: 
Friday, December 1, 2023
Trustee, Government, OECTA, School, Student, File, Catholic Church, Education, Ministry

TORONTO, Dec. 01, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Ontario English Catholic Teachers’ Association (OECTA) has released the following statement from President René Jansen in de Wal, announcing that the Association is in the process of filing for conciliation, to continue to work towards a fair, negotiated collective agreement that supports all teachers and students.

Key Points: 
  • TORONTO, Dec. 01, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Ontario English Catholic Teachers’ Association (OECTA) has released the following statement from President René Jansen in de Wal, announcing that the Association is in the process of filing for conciliation, to continue to work towards a fair, negotiated collective agreement that supports all teachers and students.
  • “Catholic teachers have been bargaining with representatives of the Government of Ontario and Catholic school boards for almost 18 months.
  • Catholic teachers have been beyond patient, especially as other education affiliates reach tentative agreements.
  • Filing for conciliation is a crucial tool in the bargaining process, in which the parties work with a neutral third party in an attempt to move negotiations forward to reach a central tentative agreement.

97% Vote “YES”: Catholic Teachers Deliver Overwhelming Strike Mandate

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, October 19, 2023
Education, Catholic Church, Ontario English Catholic Teachers' Association, OECTA, Ford, Student, School, Parent, Nursing, Tutoring

TORONTO, Oct. 19, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- In a province-wide vote conducted on October 18 and 19, Catholic teachers – the members of the Ontario English Catholic Teachers’ Association (OECTA) – delivered an overwhelming strike mandate, with 97 per cent voting in favour of authorizing strike action, if necessary.

Key Points: 
  • TORONTO, Oct. 19, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- In a province-wide vote conducted on October 18 and 19, Catholic teachers – the members of the Ontario English Catholic Teachers’ Association (OECTA) – delivered an overwhelming strike mandate, with 97 per cent voting in favour of authorizing strike action, if necessary.
  • OECTA has issued the following statement from President René Jansen in de Wal:
    “Our overwhelming strike mandate sends a clear message to the Ford Conservative government and the representatives of Catholic school boards that Catholic teachers want to see meaningful progress and results at the bargaining table that address the lack of resources, supports, and time teachers need to best serve their students.
  • Contrary to Minister of Education Stephen Lecce’s ongoing misinformation campaign, taking a strike vote and receiving a strong strike mandate does not necessarily mean that Catholic teachers will take job action.
  • And it will enable the Association to proceed forward in negotiations with the full confidence of Catholic teachers.

A one-size-fits-all approach to binding arbitration will not serve students and local communities, say AEFO, ETFO, and OECTA

Retrieved on: 
Friday, August 25, 2023
Learning, Violence, Education, OSSTF, Elementary Teachers' Federation of Ontario, Ford, ETFO, Government, OECTA, School, Student, Association des enseignantes et des enseignants franco-ontariens, AEFO, Mental health, Property management, Tutoring, Nursing

Entering into binding arbitration at this juncture would not support the students we serve in elementary and secondary schools – as binding arbitration would all but guarantee that the key issues we have brought forward at our respective bargaining tables, which are critical to learning and working conditions in our schools, would not be addressed.

Key Points: 
  • Entering into binding arbitration at this juncture would not support the students we serve in elementary and secondary schools – as binding arbitration would all but guarantee that the key issues we have brought forward at our respective bargaining tables, which are critical to learning and working conditions in our schools, would not be addressed.
  • Furthermore, the decision to enter into binding arbitration now impacts the opportunity for meaningful local bargaining on key local issues.
  • The Ford Conservative government has continually refused to engage in substantive discussions with our unions, despite our many attempts to make progress at our respective bargaining tables.
  • The frontline teachers and education workers represented by AEFO, ETFO, and OECTA will continue to work toward achieving fair, negotiated agreements that defend and protect publicly funded education, and support all students, educators, and families in this province.”

Catholic Teachers to Hold Province-wide Strike Vote

Retrieved on: 
Monday, August 21, 2023
Ontario Labour Relations Board, Education, Ontario English Catholic Teachers' Association, Ford, Falls, Government, Complaint, OECTA, School, Student, Minister, Catholic Church, Nursing, Property management, Tutoring

TORONTO, Aug. 21, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Ontario English Catholic Teachers’ Association (OECTA) has released the following statement from President René Jansen in de Wal, announcing that OECTA will conduct a province-wide strike vote on October 18 and 19.

Key Points: 
  • TORONTO, Aug. 21, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Ontario English Catholic Teachers’ Association (OECTA) has released the following statement from President René Jansen in de Wal, announcing that OECTA will conduct a province-wide strike vote on October 18 and 19.
  • Catholic teachers have been bargaining with representatives of the Government of Ontario and Catholic school boards for more than a year – with the goal of realizing a fair, negotiated agreement that supports all students, educators, and families.
  • To continue making progress, it has become necessary to conduct a strike vote to demonstrate our Association’s solidarity and resolve.
  • Bargaining will continue while the strike vote is being conducted.

Catholic teachers recognize talented young authors

Retrieved on: 
Friday, June 16, 2023
Poetry, Ontario English Catholic Teachers' Association, Writing, Moon, Garbage, Pacific Ocean, OECTA, School, Student, Kerry Young (author), Catholic Church, Script, Nursing, Tutoring, Bathroom

The Young Authors Awards/Prix jeunes écrivains acknowledge English and French writing in categories ranging from poetry and short stories, to plays and non-fiction.

Key Points: 
  • The Young Authors Awards/Prix jeunes écrivains acknowledge English and French writing in categories ranging from poetry and short stories, to plays and non-fiction.
  • “The Young Authors Awards/Prix jeunes écrivains are a celebration of the exceptional spirit and accomplishments of students and teachers in Ontario’s publicly funded Catholic schools, showcasing the high caliber of writing and critical thinking happening in our classrooms,” says OECTA President Barb Dobrowolski.
  • This year marks the 38th year in which Catholic teachers have supported and celebrated student writing and achievement through the Young Authors Awards/Prix jeunes écrivains.
  • OECTA represents the 45,000 passionate and qualified teachers in Ontario’s publicly funded English Catholic schools, from Kindergarten to Grade 12.

Ford Government’s Education Plans Deeply Flawed, Highlight Baffling Approach to Policymaking, Say Catholic Teachers

Retrieved on: 
Monday, April 17, 2023
Learning, Education, Feedback, Ontario English Catholic Teachers' Association, Curriculum, Policy, Ford, Franco-Ontarians, Government, Literacy, OECTA, Student, Investment, Catholic Church, Collaboration, Social media, Legislation, Nursing, Tutoring

“Yesterday’s announcement by Education Minister Lecce and today’s proposed legislation are yet further examples of the Ford government’s flawed approach to education policymaking and its baffling, almost stubborn refusal to grasp how to support our world-class publicly funded education system and best realize student success.

Key Points: 
  • “Yesterday’s announcement by Education Minister Lecce and today’s proposed legislation are yet further examples of the Ford government’s flawed approach to education policymaking and its baffling, almost stubborn refusal to grasp how to support our world-class publicly funded education system and best realize student success.
  • Catholic teachers are disappointed that, once again, the Ford government is attempting to deceive Ontarians, by announcing big-sounding plans that – when stripped of Minister Lecce’s ‘spin’ – fall well short of what students need and deserve.
  • With yesterday’s announcement and today’s proposed legislation, it is clear that the government cannot bring itself to do the one thing that would make the biggest impact: properly invest in Ontario’s publicly funded education system.
  • It is both frustrating and insulting that Catholic teachers, and all educators, would hear about the government’s plans for the first time through social media leaks and press conferences.