Teachers’ Single-Tier Bargaining Legislation Introduced

EDUCATION--Teachers’ Single-Tier Bargaining Legislation Introduced

Government is following through on its agreement with teachers to make collective bargaining more efficient. Amendments to the Teachers’ Collective Bargaining Act were introduced today to move from two-tier toward single-tier bargaining to create greater consistency in contracts for all teachers throughout the province.

The shift means that a number of items currently negotiated with each of the seven school boards separately will soon be negotiated at the provincial level. With more being negotiated provincially, the process will be less cumbersome and more cost effective.

"We reached an agreement with the teachers union to move toward single-tier bargaining and now we’re taking the next step to implement it," said Education Minister Jane Purves. "It’s a sensible change that will reduce negotiation costs and help us to keep more resources in the classroom."

The Nova Scotia Teachers Union and the Department of Education agreed in February 2001 to move from two-tier toward single-tier bargaining. The department and the union are currently determining which items will be moved up to provincial negotiations this year. A number of items will remain at the board level until future agreements are made. Once an item is moved up to the provincial level, it can not be returned to the board level.

"The intent of the amendments being introduced today has been reviewed by the union and we believe the amendments will be in the interest of teachers," said Brian Forbes, president of the Nova Scotia Teachers Union.

The current contract between the department and the union expires on Dec. 31, 2001. Both parties plan to have agreement on which items will move to the provincial level in time for fall negotiations.

FOR BROADCAST ONLY:

Government introduced legislation today to move from two-

tier toward single-tier bargaining with Nova Scotia teachers.

The move will create greater consistency in contracts for

all teachers throughout the province. It will also make

negotiations less cumbersome and more cost effective.

The Nova Scotia Teachers Union and the Department of

Education agreed to the move in February 2001. They are currently

determining which items will be negotiated provincially and which

will be negotiated with each school board.

The current contract between the department and the union

expires on December 31st. Both parties plan to have agreement on

which items will move to the provincial level in time for fall

negotiations.