School board negotiations get underway

The Western Quebec School Board (WQSB) and the Western Quebec Teachers' Association (WQTA) are preparing for negotiations to renew the local agreements and arrangements. At the start of every new Provincial Entente, local negotiations must be renewed.

“Each of the 10 provincial English Teachers' Associations (or unions) will begin the process soon,” said Brian Smeltzer, the teachers’ president; “the WQSB has four groups needing review, one being the teachers. Their first meeting is scheduled for the end of January. There are specific articles in the Provincial Entente which are subject to either local negotiations or local arrangements.”

“We value all our employees, and so will not be commenting until we have agreements signed,” commented James Shea, WQSB Chairman.

Local agreements cover a school’s day-to-day operations, school closings, job security, special leave, and so on. The previous WQSB-WQTA agreement was signed on September 25, 2007.