Another no-layoff clause has been granted to a public-sector union, this time to the Newfoundland and Labrador Teachers’ Association (NLTA).
The tentative agreement, received by The Telegram on Wednesday, features a memorandum of understanding between the province and the NLTA outlining that the province “shall not announce any mass layoff of teachers to effect provincial budgetary expenditure reductions.”
The clause does leave room for any layoffs that “result from normal business operations, including annual allocation of teaching units or decisions related to school closures.”
A sidebar letter immediately after the clause states that the no-layoff clause is only for the current tentative agreement and does not extend to future collective agreements.
The NLTA and Department of Finance declined interview requests in relation to the tentative deal but did agree to speak once the deal is ratified by NLTA members. The first ratification vote is expected on Feb. 26.
A similar provision caused controversy last year as part of the Newfoundland and Labrador Association of Public and Private Employees (NAPE) contract. Initial concerns were that the clause did roll over, but it was later revealed the no-layoff clause for NAPE also only applies to the current agreement.
In addition, there are no changes to the salary scales for substitute or full-time teachers for the duration of the deal, which extends until August 2020.
The NLTA and Department of Finance declined interview requests in relation to the tentative deal but did agree to speak once the deal is ratified by NLTA members. The first ratification vote is expected on Feb. 26.
Another letter of understanding is featured in the yet-to-be-ratified deal in relation to post-employment group insurance premiums.
Any employees hired after the deal is signed will see group insurance premiums cost-shared between the province and the NLTA.
For employees with five to 19 years of pensionable service, the cost-sharing ratio is 85 per cent to the employee and 15 per cent to the employer. For 20-24 years of pensionable service, the ratio changes to 70 per cent and 30 per cent, for 25-29 years the ratio becomes 55-45, and for those with more than 30 years of pensionable service the premiums will be 50-50.
Severance payments will also be eliminated for teachers across the province, also in keeping with the NAPE agreement.
Article 33 of the agreement will see any teacher with at least one year of service be paid any severance they have so far accumulated. After the severances are paid, no more severance will be accrued by any teacher in the province.
Leave without pay has also been extended in the tentative deal.
Teachers can be granted leave without pay of up to 39 weeks to support a “gravely ill” family member, as long as medical proof of the condition is provided.
The length of the school year will also be shortened by two days, to 185 total teaching days. One of the days is assigned to allow teachers to prepare report cards, while a fourth professional development day has been added to the school calendar.
Twitter: @DavidMaherNL
