Board, union reach agreement

The Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board and OECTA Occasional Teachers Union are pleased to announce that a tentative contract agreement has been reached.

Details of the contract are being withheld pending ratification by both parties, but the agreement is for a twoyear term commencing Sept. 1, 2006 and running to Aug. 31, 2008.

The tentative agreement was reached Sept. 20 following a full day of bargaining. The agreement averted planned rotating strikes scheduled to start on Sept. 21 at various Dufferin-Peel schools.

"We are very pleased to have reached this tentative settlement," said Bruno Iannicca, Dufferin-Peel Chair. "It is good news for students and for our system."

"We are glad that we were able to work together for the benefit of all," said Jean Smylie, president of the Occasional Teachers' Local.

OECTA Occasional Teachers represents 1,300 certified Catholic supply teachers at the Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board.

The Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board, with approximately 89,000 students in 143 schools throughout Mississauga, Brampton, Caledon and Orangeville, is one of the largest school boards in the province. With over 10,000 employees, the board is also one of the region's largest employers.