After months of negotiations, the RETSD collective agreement for 2019 has finally been reached. The new agreement, which covers over 1,600 employees in the River East Transcona School Division, features several changes and improvements.
The most significant change in the new agreement is an increase in wages for all employees. The agreement includes a 2 percent salary increase for teachers, support staff, and administrators. The increase is retroactive to September 1, 2018, and will continue until August 31, 2019.
Another key feature of the new agreement is the addition of a new paid leave provision for pregnancy-related illness. Under the new agreement, employees will be entitled to up to 15 weeks of paid leave if they are unable to work due to a pregnancy-related illness. This provision is significant because it recognizes the unique health needs of expectant mothers and provides them with the support they need to maintain their health and well-being.
The new agreement also includes improvements for support staff in terms of job security and benefits. In particular, support staff members will now be eligible for long-term disability benefits, which provide financial support if they are unable to work due to a serious illness or injury. Additionally, the agreement includes a commitment to maintaining current staffing levels and avoiding layoffs wherever possible.
One area where the new agreement falls short is in addressing workload issues for teachers. Many teachers have reported feeling overworked and overwhelmed due to increasing class sizes and a lack of support. While the new agreement includes some language around workload and the need for support, it does not provide concrete solutions to these issues.
Overall, the RETSD collective agreement for 2019 represents a significant step forward for employees in the River East Transcona School Division. It provides workers with much-needed wage increases, benefits, and job security, while also recognizing the unique needs of expectant mothers. However, there is still work to be done to address the workload concerns of teachers and ensure that all employees are able to work in a safe, supportive, and sustainable environment.
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