OECTA Teacher Labour Relations Information
Update: March 13, 2020
The CDSBEO has received notice that the Ontario English Catholic Teachers’ Association (OECTA), the Ontario Catholic School Trustees’ Association (OCSTA) and the Government of Ontario have reached a tentative collective agreement. OECTA is the union which represents all elementary and secondary teachers in the CDSBEO, and this tentative agreement means that all job action has now been suspended.
We would like to thank our parents, families, and staff for their patience and understanding throughout these last few months.
Update: February 28, 2020
The Ontario English Catholic Teachers Association (OECTA) provided notice that their members will escalate strike action to a one-day, province-wide full withdrawal on Thursday, March 5, 2020. This one-day, full withdrawal of services is in addition to existing sanctions which will continue in effect after March 5, 2020.
OECTA represents more than 857 teachers or 59 per cent of the CDSBEO workforce. Safety of students is our greatest priority and due to the full withdrawal of classroom teaching services, the Board is not able to ensure adequate student safety and well-being, therefore, all CDSBEO elementary and secondary schools will be closed to students on Thursday, March 5, 2020.
We would encourage parents and guardians to have alternate childcare plans in place for Thursday, March 5, 2020. Parents who have children that attend childcare and/or before and after school care programs in CDSBEO facilities should contact their individual provider for details on childcare operations during the strike.
This labour disruption arises out of the current central negotiations process involving the Government of Ontario, the Council of Trustees’ Association (which includes the Association representing Catholic school boards – the Ontario Catholic School Trustees’ Association), and OECTA. Please note that the CDSBEO does not control decisions regarding provincial strike action.
The decision to close schools to students is complex and is made with careful consideration. We appreciate your patience and understanding in this matter.
Details and updates of the strike situation will be posted regularly through social media and on this web page.
Update: February 24, 2020
Please be advised that the Ontario English Catholic Teachers’ Association (OECTA), the union representing all CDSBEO teachers, has provided notice that the rotating provincial strikes scheduled for this week have been suspended as meaningful negotiations resumed today. Therefore, all CDSBEO elementary and secondary schools will now be open on Friday, February 28th (previously a scheduled strike day).
The Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation (OSSTF), has also served notice of strike action in the form of a one-day walkout on Friday, February 28 at selected school boards including the Upper Canada District School Board. Please note that this walkout does not affect or involve teachers at the Catholic District School Board of Eastern Ontario.
Update: February 18, 2020
Please be advised that the Ontario English Catholic Teachers Association (OECTA), the union representing all CDSBEO teachers, has provided notice that if an agreement is not reached, their members will participate in rotating full withdrawals of service the week of February 24, 2020. Based on the rotation schedule, all CDSBEO elementary and secondary schools will be closed to students on Friday, February 28, 2020.
We encourage parents and guardians of CDSBEO students to have alternate childcare plans in place for Friday, February 28, 2020. Parents who have children that attend childcare and/or before and after school care programs in CDSBEO facilities should contact their individual provider for details on childcare operations during the strike.
This labour disruption arises out of the current central negotiations process involving the Government of Ontario, the Council of Trustees’ Association (which includes the Association representing Catholic school boards – the Ontario Catholic School Trustees’ Association), and OECTA. Please note that the CDSBEO does not control decisions regarding provincial strike action.
The decision to close schools to students is complex and is made with careful consideration. We appreciate your patience and understanding in this matter.
Details and updates of the strike situation will be posted regularly through social media and on this web page. Please keep our students, staff and families in your prayers as we move forward in these challenging times.
Update: February 12, 2020
The Ontario English Catholic Teachers Association (OECTA) provided notice that their members will escalate strike action to a full one-day withdrawal of services on Friday, February 21, 2020. This one-day, full withdrawal of services is in addition to existing sanctions which will continue in effect after February 21, 2020.
OECTA represents more than 857 teachers or 59 per cent of the CDSBEO workforce. Safety of students is our greatest priority and due to the full withdrawal of classroom teaching services, the Board is not able to ensure adequate student safety and well-being, therefore, all CDSBEO elementary and secondary schools will be closed to students on Friday, February 21, 2020.
We would encourage parents and guardians to have alternate childcare plans in place for Friday, February 21, 2020. Parents who have children that attend childcare and/or before and after school care programs in CDSBEO facilities should contact their individual provider for details on childcare operations during the strike.
This labour disruption arises out of the current central negotiations process involving the Government of Ontario, the Council of Trustees’ Association (which includes the Association representing Catholic school boards – the Ontario Catholic School Trustees’ Association), and OECTA. Please note that the CDSBEO does not control decisions regarding provincial strike action.
The decision to close schools to students is complex and is made with careful consideration. We appreciate your patience and understanding in this matter.
Details and updates of the strike situation will be posted regularly through social media and on this web page. Please keep our students, staff and families in your prayers as we move forward in these challenging times.
Update: February 7, 2020
The Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO), will hold rotating strikes on Monday, February 10, at selected school boards including the Upper Canada District School Board, as well as a one day province-wide strike on Tuesday, February 11. Please be aware these walkouts do not affect or involve teachers at the Catholic District School Board of Eastern Ontario. CDSBEO teachers are represented by OECTA who, at this time, have not announced any strike action in the form of a full withdrawal of services for next week. Therefore, all CDSBEO elementary and secondary schools are open to students for the week of February 10-14.
Update: February 5, 2020
The Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO), will hold a one day province-wide strike on Thursday, February 6, 2020 at selected school boards, including the Upper Canada District School Board. Please be aware this walkout does not affect or involve teachers at the Catholic District School Board of Eastern Ontario. CDSBEO teachers are represented by OECTA and all CDSBEO schools will be open on Thursday, February 6.
Update: January 28, 2020
The Ontario English Catholic Teachers Association (OECTA) provided notice that their members will escalate strike action to a full one-day withdrawal of services on Tuesday, February 4, 2020. This one-day, full withdrawal of services is in addition to the sanctions that began on January 13, 2020 and which will continue in effect after February 4, 2020.
OECTA represents more than 857 teachers or 59 per cent of the CDSBEO workforce. Safety of students is our greatest priority and due to the full withdrawal of classroom teaching services, the Board is not able to ensure adequate student safety and well-being, therefore, all CDSBEO schools will be closed to students on Tuesday, February 4, 2020.
We would encourage parents and guardians to have alternate childcare plans in place for Tuesday, February 4, 2020. Parents who have children that attend childcare and/or before and after school care programs in CDSBEO facilities should contact their individual provider for details on childcare operations during the strike.
This labour disruption arises out of the current central negotiations process involving the Government of Ontario, the Council of Trustees’ Association (which includes the Association representing Catholic school boards – the Ontario Catholic School Trustees’ Association), and OECTA. Please note that the CDSBEO does not control decisions regarding provincial strike action.
The decision to close schools to students is complex and is made with careful consideration. We appreciate your patience and understanding in this matter.
Please keep our students, staff and families in your prayers as we move forward in these challenging times.
Update: January 27, 2020
The Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO), has served notice of strike action outlining a full withdrawal of services in the form of a one-day walkout on Wednesday, January 29, 2020 at selected school boards, including the Upper Canada District School Board. Please be aware this walkout does not affect or involve teachers at the Catholic District School Board of Eastern Ontario. CDSBEO teachers are represented by OECTA and all CDSBEO schools will be open on Wednesday, January 29.
Update: January 20, 2020
Dear Parents/Guardians,
This is a reminder that tomorrow (Tuesday, January 21), all CDSBEO elementary and secondary schools will be closed to students in all grades due to escalated OECTA strike action. The one-day, full withdrawal of services was announced by OECTA last Monday. OECTA is the teachers union which represents all English Catholic teachers in the province, including teachers in the Catholic District School Board of Eastern Ontario.
Update: January 14, 2020
The Ontario English Catholic Teachers’ Association (OECTA) has directed its members across Ontario to not participate in any EQAO-related activities, including the administration and marking of the Grade 9 Math Assessment, as part of job action. As a result, CDSBEO students will not participate in the Grade 9 EQAO Math Assessment which was scheduled to take place in January. More information will be shared on this matter at a future date.
Update: Letter to Parents – January 13, 2020
Dear Parents/Guardians:
The Ontario English Catholic Teachers Association (OECTA) provided notice that their members will escalate strike action to a full one-day withdrawal of services on Tuesday, January 21, 2020. This one-day, full withdrawal of services is in addition to the sanctions that began on January 13, 2020 and which will continue in effect after January 21, 2020.
OECTA represents more than 857 teachers or 59 per cent of the CDSBEO workforce. Safety of students is our greatest priority and due to the full withdrawal of classroom teaching services, the Board is not able to ensure adequate student safety and well-being, therefore, all CDSBEO schools will be closed to students on Tuesday, January 21, 2020.
We would encourage parents and guardians to have alternate childcare plans in place for Tuesday, January 21, 2020. Parents who have children that attend childcare and/or before and after school care programs in CDSBEO facilities should contact their individual provider for details on childcare operations during the strike.
This labour disruption arises out of the current central negotiations process involving the Government of Ontario, the Council of Trustees’ Association (which includes the Association representing Catholic school boards – the Ontario Catholic School Trustees’ Association), and OECTA. Please note that the CDSBEO does not control decisions regarding provincial strike action.
The decision to close schools to students is complex and is made with careful consideration. We appreciate your patience and understanding in this matter.
Details and updates of the strike situation will be posted regularly through social media and on this web page.
Please keep our students, staff and families in your prayers as we move forward in these challenging times.
Update: January 13, 2020
The Ontario Secondary School Teachers Federation, OSSTF, has served notice of strike action outlining a full withdrawal of services in the form of a one-day walkout on Wednesday, January 15, 2020 at selected schools and school boards including the Upper Canada District School Board. Please be aware this walkout does not affect or involve teachers at the Catholic District School Board of Eastern Ontario. CDSBEO teachers are represented by OECTA and all CDSBEO schools will be open on Wednesday, January 15.
Update: Letter to Parents – January 10, 2020
Dear Parents and Guardians,
CDSBEO has been advised by the OCSTA (Ontario Catholic School Trustees’ Association) that provincial collective bargaining efforts over the last few days to achieve a negotiated contract between the government, OCSTA, and OECTA (Ontario English Catholic Teachers Association) was not successful. As a result, OECTA will begin job action on Monday, January 13, 2020. All of our elementary and secondary school teachers will be involved in this job action.
At this time, OECTA job action will not impact student learning in the classroom and all CDSBEO schools will be open and operating.
As a first step regarding job action, teachers will not be performing a variety of administrative tasks such as report card comments, and EQAO (Ministry assessment) testing. You might notice, as you drop off or pick up your child, information pickets held by teachers as of January 13th.
As provincial circumstances evolve and change that could potentially impact our school system, we will provide regular updates on the situation through our CDSBEO website on this page, on social media, and via School Messenger.
We appreciate your understanding and thank you for your ongoing commitment to Catholic education.
Update: Media Release – January 10, 2020
Kemptville, ON (Friday, January 10) – The Ontario English Catholic Teachers’ Association (OECTA), which represents both elementary and secondary teachers in the Catholic District School Board of Eastern Ontario, has confirmed that it will begin job action on Monday, January 13. The job action is a partial withdrawal of administrative tasks whereby OECTA members will refrain from activities such as preparing report card comments, participating in EQAO-related activities, and attending Ministry of Education initiatives.
Due to the job action scheduled for Monday, OECTA staff members may be present with OECTA information pamphlets at the exits of school property before and/or after the school day.
“Despite the impact of the partial withdrawal of services on Monday, all CDSBEO schools will remain open and regular classroom instruction will continue,” noted Chair Todd Lalonde. “We remain committed to the labour negotiations process, and we thank the community for their patience and understanding as provincial collective bargaining continues.”
Update: January 9, 2020
Beginning Monday, January 13, 2020, the Ontario English Catholic Teachers Association (OECTA), representing English Catholic teachers across the province of Ontario may begin legal job action.
This job action will affect Ministry of Education and/or school board initiatives only; it will have no impact on student learning in the classroom, however, despite best efforts, the partial withdrawal of these services may cause some disruption. The Catholic District School Board of Eastern Ontario will work diligently to minimize any impact on our students and school communities should job action proceed.
Despite the impact that may result from the withdrawal of services, all CDSBEO schools will remain open and will continue to provide exceptional, Christ-centred learning environments. Academic programming for all students will continue to be delivered at the highest standard. We will continue to monitor the situation closely as it unfolds with the safety of our students and staff as our top priority.
As a Catholic school board, we respect collective bargaining and are hopeful that a freely negotiated agreement can be reached soon. We are not directly involved in central bargaining, however, we are aware that OECTA will continue provincial negotiations on Thursday, January 9th and Friday, January 10th, to work toward achieving an agreement.
As provincial circumstances evolve and change, that could potentially impact our school system, we will provide regular updates on the situation on this web page as well as through direct email to parents via SchoolMessenger.
Update: January 8, 2020
The CDSBEO is aware that in the event that an OECTA agreement is not reached by end of day January 10, 2020, OECTA will commence with work-to-rule job action. This job action will affect Ministry of Education and/or school board initiatives only, and will have no impact on student learning in the classroom. Based on the OECTA announcement all CDSBEO schools will remain open. The Board will post details as information becomes available on CDSBEO social media channels and on this web page, as well as through direct email to parents via SchoolMessenger. CDSBEO continues to monitor this situation closely and appreciates the patience of our school community.
Update: January 6, 2020
The Ontario Secondary School Teachers Federation, OSSTF, has served notice of strike action outlining a full withdrawal of services in the form of a one-day walkout on Wednesday, January 8, 2020 at selected schools and school boards. Please be aware this does not affect or involve teachers at the Catholic District School Board of Eastern Ontario. CDSBEO teachers are represented by OECTA, who are currently still provincially negotiating. Therefore, there is currently no job action within CDSBEO schools and we will inform parents immediately if anything changes.
Update: December 17, 2019
The Ontario Secondary School Teachers Federation, OSSTF, has served notice of strike action outlining a full withdrawal of services in the form of a one-day walkout on Wednesday, December 18, 2019 at selected schools and school boards. Please be aware this does not affect or involve teachers at the Catholic District School Board of Eastern Ontario. CDSBEO teachers are represented by OECTA, who are currently still provincially negotiating. Therefore, there is currently no job action within CDSBEO schools and we will inform parents immediately if anything changes.
Update: December 9, 2019
The Ontario Secondary School Teachers Federation, OSSTF, has served notice of strike action outlining a full withdrawal of services in the form of a one-day walkout on Wednesday, December 11, 2019 at selected schools and school boards. Please be aware this does not affect or involve teachers at the Catholic District School Board of Eastern Ontario. CDSBEO teachers are represented by OECTA, who are currently still provincially negotiating. Therefore, there is currently no job action within CDSBEO schools and we will inform parents immediately if anything changes.
Update: December 6, 2019
The CDSBEO has been advised by the Ontario Catholic School Trustees’ Association (OCSTA), the party representing Ontario Catholic School Boards in provincial negotiations, that the Ontario English Catholic Teachers’ Association (OECTA) is in a legal strike position as of December 21, 2019. Pursuant to the School Boards Collective Bargaining Act, OECTA must provide the CDSBEO a minimum of 5 days written notice of any job action. OCSTA has advised that bargaining dates are set for the upcoming weeks and we remain optimistic that a resolution can be reached. CDSBEO schools remain open and in full operation. We will advise parents/guardians of any changes.
Update: December 4, 2019
On November 28, 2019 the Ontario Secondary School Teachers Federation, OSSTF, served notice of Strike Action outlining a full withdrawal of services in the form of a one-day walkout on Wednesday, December 4, 2019.
Please be aware this does not affect or involve teachers at the Catholic District School Board of Eastern Ontario. CDSBEO teachers are represented by OECTA, who are currently still provincially negotiating. Therefore, there is currently no job action within CDSBEO schools, and we will inform members of our school community immediately if anything changes.