TORONTO - Public high school teachers and support staff have voted 84 per cent in favour of a recently negotiated agreement with the provincial government.
The Ontario Secondary School Teachers' Federation says the agreement amends components of the working conditions imposed in January by Bill 115.
OSSTF President Ken Coran says the agreement respects the fiscal parameters defined by the Ontario government and "problematic" issues in the imposed contract that were identified by members.
Under the new agreement, teachers will get improved maternity leave and sick day benefits, as well as fewer unpaid days off.
The changes reduce unpaid days from three to one for teachers, while support staff won't have to take any and can't be laid off unless enrolment declines, the government cuts funding for a specific program, or "catastrophic events."
Premier Kathleen Wynne has said no additional money will be spent to improve the contract, but opposition members have said they believe there will be extra costs.
