A tentative agreement is in place with one of Ontario's "Big Four" education unions.
The Ministry of Education announced Tuesday morning that it had reached a deal with the Ontario English Catholic Teachers Association (OECTA). The union is the only one of four major teachers' unions without a new contract.
"For the first time in nearly a generation, Ontario’s government successfully negotiated deals with all teacher unions that averted strikes or the withdrawal of services," said Education Minister Stephen Lecce.
OECTA represents 45,000 teachers with English-language Catholic school boards.
Union President René Jansen in de Wal said it was a long and difficult process, but it did work.
"We want to thank Catholic teachers, as well as the students and families we serve, for their patience during this exceptionally long bargaining period," said de Wal. "Our goal, as always, is to reach the best possible deal to better support all students and teachers, and to address key issues facing publicly funded schools in our communities across Ontario."
Terms of the contract will remain confidential until the OECTA Executive Committee and local union presidents have recommended approval and members ratify it. A vote is tentatively set for March 26 and 27.
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.