Manitoba teachers reach tentative province-wide deal

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After two years of intensive negotiations, the Manitoba Teachers’ Society has reached a tentative collective agreement for most Manitoba teachers including salary increases and other workplace gains.

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The agreement imposes a single contract across 37 English school divisions for the first time in the province. Last week, MTS announced that it had reached the tentative deal with the Manitoba School Boards Association that will impact 16,000 public school educators, excluding those in the Franco-Manitoban School Division (DSFM) or federal bargaining units.

The negotiation follows the implementation of Bill 45 – The Public Schools Amendment and Manitoba Teachers’ Society Amendment Act, which mandated a shift to provincial bargaining for public school teachers. This marks the first collective agreement negotiated under the new legislative framework.

The tentative agreement reportedly would see teachers’ wages increase by 12.85% over four years.

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Reportedly, teachers would receive annual salary hikes starting at 2.5% for 2022-23, 2.75% in 2023-24, 3% in 2024-25 and 3% in 2025-26. A retention adjustment of 1% kicks in in February 2026.

“This agreement represents a significant step forward for Manitoba teachers and the public education system as a whole,” said Nathan Martindale, MTS President in a press release. “It sets a precedent for collaborative negotiation and ensures a fair and unified approach to addressing educators’ needs across the province.”

Negotiations are ongoing for addendums specific to Frontier School Division, Manitoba Institute of Trades and Technology, and the School District of Mystery Lake, according to the July 11 release.

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Meanwhile, negotiations continue separately for educators under the Division scolaire franco-manitobaine (DSFM).

Winnipeg Sun reached out to MTS for updates on those negotiations and further comment from Martindale.

The bargaining table team is recommending the agreement be accepted by teachers, who will vote on ratification from Aug. 1-7.

The MTS teachers’ current contract expired in June 30, 2022.

glen.dawkins@kleinmedia.ca

X: @SunGlenDawkins

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