The Ottawa-Carleton District School Board (OCDSB) has recently reached a new collective agreement with its occasional teachers, which will be in effect until August 31, 2024. This agreement is an important milestone in ensuring that the interests of occasional teachers are protected and that they receive fair compensation for their work.
The new agreement includes a number of important changes that will benefit occasional teachers. First and foremost, it increases the rate of pay for occasional teachers. Under the previous agreement, occasional teachers were paid $257.77 per day for their work. Under the new agreement, this rate will increase to $270.00 per day, effective September 1, 2021. This represents an increase of over 4.7% and will help ensure that occasional teachers are adequately compensated for their work.
In addition to the increase in pay, the new agreement also includes changes to the process for filling long-term occasional positions. Under the previous agreement, long-term occasional positions were filled through a seniority-based process. Under the new agreement, however, long-term occasional positions will be filled through a process that takes into account both seniority and qualifications. This change will help ensure that the most qualified candidates are selected for long-term occasional positions, which will benefit both teachers and students.
The new agreement also includes changes to the benefits that occasional teachers receive. Under the previous agreement, occasional teachers were not eligible for benefits. Under the new agreement, however, occasional teachers who work more than 20 days in a school year will be eligible for benefits, including health and dental coverage. This change will help ensure that occasional teachers have access to the same benefits as other teachers, which will help to improve their quality of life.
Finally, the new agreement includes changes to the sick leave provisions for occasional teachers. Under the previous agreement, occasional teachers were entitled to a maximum of 10 sick days per school year. Under the new agreement, occasional teachers will be entitled to 11 sick days per school year. This change will help ensure that occasional teachers have access to the sick leave they need in order to take care of their health and well-being.
Overall, the new collective agreement between the OCDSB and its occasional teachers represents an important step forward in ensuring that the interests of occasional teachers are protected and that they receive fair compensation for their work. With the new agreement in place, occasional teachers can look forward to improved pay, increased access to benefits, and a more equitable process for filling long-term occasional positions.