St. Margaret’s School and the union representing teachers and support staff have reached a tentative agreement to avoid a strike.
The Professional Employees Association declared an impasse in negotiations in April and issued a strike notice in mid-May.
After multiple bargaining sessions with a mediator, the school and the union reached a tentative agreement, the school said in a statement. The agreement still requires ratification by the teachers and support staff.
“We are all breathing a sigh of relief because no one wanted to destabilize year-end activities for our students,” said head of school Sharon Klein. “Ratification of this agreement will mean our students can hold graduation ceremonies, compete in soccer provincials and complete their academic year uninterrupted.”
A ratification vote for teachers and staff represented by the Professional Employees Association will take place June 6.
“Our members voted 88 per cent in favour of taking job action and it was the strength of their resolve that enabled a better collective agreement for the whole school,” said Rhiannon Bray, PEA Labour Relations Officer.
Details of the agreement are not being publicly released.
St. Margaret’s School is an independent school for girls from junior kindergarten to Grade 12.
regan-elliott@timescolonist.com
