The York Region District School Board (YRDSB) and the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) recently reached a new collective bargaining agreement for 2019. The agreement covers over 4,000 non-teaching staff members in the YRDSB, including custodians, clerical staff, and educational assistants.
One of the most significant changes in the new agreement is the increase in wages for CUPE members. Over the three-year term of the agreement, wages will increase by a total of 4.1%. This increase is in line with recent wage settlements in other Ontario school boards.
In addition to the wage increase, the agreement includes improvements in benefits and working conditions for CUPE members. For example, the board will now provide additional funding for professional development and training programs for educational assistants. Custodians will also be provided with additional equipment to improve their working conditions.
The YRDSB and CUPE also agreed to a new process for the assignment of tasks and duties for educational assistants. The new process will involve a joint committee of board and union representatives, which will work together to identify appropriate tasks and ensure that they are assigned fairly.
The new collective bargaining agreement is a positive development for both the YRDSB and CUPE members. By working together to find common ground, the two parties were able to reach an agreement that provides fair wages and improved working conditions.
For YRDSB students and parents, the new agreement means that the board will continue to have a dedicated and skilled workforce providing essential services to support student learning and growth. And for CUPE members, the agreement represents a recognition of their valuable contributions to the YRDSB community.