Agreement reached with the province�s teachers

Loyola Sullivan, Minister of Finance and President of Treasury Board, and Joan Burke, Minister of Education, are pleased to announce that a new four-year Memorandum of Agreement has been reached with the Newfoundland and Labrador Teachers� Association (NLTA).

Negotiations have been ongoing since November. As part of the agreement, government committed to providing $1.953 billion to stabilize the teachers� pension plan.

"We are pleased today to confirm that our negotiations have been successful and we have reached an agreement," said Minister Sullivan. "This is a major accomplishment for both parties and I�m proud to say that we have found a way to bring the pension fund back to stability."

Minister Burke added that this agreement, to be signed during Education Week in the province, proves the province�s commitment to its teachers.

"We recognize the invaluable contributions they make each and every day inside and outside of the classroom," said Minister Burke. "They are literally shaping the young minds of our province."

Other terms of the agreement include the acceptance of the government�s zero per cent wage freeze over the first two years of the agreement, with a three per cent raise in each of the remaining two years, and a reduced sick-leave package for new employees.

Photo #1: Ed Hancock - NLTA Executive Director, Kevin Foley - NLTA President, Minister Loyola Sullivan, Brian Shortall - CEO/Executive Director Newfoundland and Labrador School Boards Association

Media contact:
Deborah Pennell, Communications, Public Service Secretariat, (709) 729-6830, 685-6612
Jacquelyn Howard, Communications, Education, (709) 729-0048, 689-2624

2006 03 09                                      10:00 a.m.