By The Canadian Press

Tentative agreement struck with Alberta teachers and school boards

Apr 27, 2017 | 8:53 AM

CALGARY –  A tentative agreement is now on the table between Alberta teachers and school board representatives.

The two parties have signed a memorandum of agreement, completing the first step of the updated collective bargaining process.

According to a government news release, details are still confidential and will not be released until it’s been ratified.

Once that’s done, the contract will apply to all teachers in public, separate and francophone school authorities, who will bargain on local matters after ratification.

Alberta Teachers Association members will vote online on whether or not to approve the document while school board representatives will vote on May 24.

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“We believe that we have reached an agreement that offers significant value for teachers and for public education,” said ATA president Mark Ramsankar in a statement.

Ramsankar noted the deal puts a cap on the amount of time teachers can be assigned to non-classroom duties such as staff meetings, supervision, and staff-development days.

The cap is expected free up more time for teachers to focus on work directly related to the classroom, including lesson planning, student assessments, and phone calls to parents.

The two-year deal does not deliver any pay raises. Educators also didn’t get increases for three of the four years under the previous contract, but Ramsankar says they appreciate the province is in rough financial times.