First collective agreement for Designated Early Childhood Educators

Rainbow District School Board and its 14 Designated Early Childhood Educators in Sudbury, Espanola and Manitoulin have reached their first collective agreement.

Represented by the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO), the Designated Early Childhood Educators work in partnership with teachers in the new Early Learning Kindergarten Program for four and five-year-olds.

“Rainbow District School Board values the contribution of its newest employee group,” said Negotiating Committee Chair Dena Morrison. “We thank our Designated Early Childhood Educators for working with us to achieve this agreement.”

She added: “The number of Designated Early Childhood Educators will grow as we continue to implement the new Early Learning Kindergarten Program in Rainbow Schools.” The program will be fully implemented by September 2014.

“This collective agreement respects the impact that our Designated Early Childhood Educators have on the education of our youngest learners,” said Sam Hammond, President of the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario.  

He added: “Our Designated Early Childhood Educators are professionals that work side by side with their teacher colleagues to make a real difference in the lives of students.  The Rainbow District School Board recognized that partnership during negotiations and I look forward to the results that will come from this successful first contract negotiation.”  

Rainbow District School Board trustees ratified the deal at a Special Board meeting held on November 8, 2011.  

The Designated Early Childhood Educators ratified the deal on November 3, 2011.

The agreement is in effect from September 1, 2010 to August 31, 2012.

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Media Contact:
Nicole Charette, Senior Advisor,
Corporate Communications and Strategic Planning,
Rainbow District School Board, 705-674-3171, ext. 7217.