An agreement covering members of the union representing 45,000 English Catholic educators has, for the most part, been ratified.
The Ontario English Catholic Teachers Association (OECTA) announced Wednesday afternoon that the central terms of the deal have been ratified.
"This was a long and challenging round of negotiations, with more than 20 months of bargaining and 58 days at the bargaining table," said OECTA President René Jansen in de Wal in a statement Wednesday. "Throughout the process, Catholic teachers made it clear that they would do whatever it takes to stand up for students and publicly funded education, and we want to thank our Catholic teacher-members, as well as the students and families we serve, for their patience and support in reaching a deal."
The ratification of the central agreement means that there will be labour peace in Ontario's public education sector through at least the summer of 2026.
However, there are issues in the agreement, such as compensation, that will be worked out through voluntary binding arbitration.
"In arbitration, the association and the other parties will make presentations on the items in question to an arbitrator, who will then issue a decision award," said de Wal.
OECTA reported that the central terms have been agreed to by the Ontario Ministry of Education. Minister Stephen Lecce had not specifically confirmed that information as of early Wednesday evening.
Terms of the contract will remain confidential until all arbitration issues have been worked out, and approval is recommended by both the Ontario Catholic School Trustees' Association, and local union presidents.
The Ontario Secondary School Teachers Federation (OSSTF) and the Elementary Teachers Federation of Ontario (ETFO) have each ratified contracts. The AEFO, which represents educators with French-language boards, reached an agreement in January.