The Northwest Territories Teachers Collective Agreement: What You Need to Know
The Northwest Territories (NWT) has a unique education system that serves a diverse population of students spread across a vast geographic area. To ensure that teachers in the NWT are properly supported and compensated, the territorial government and the NWT Teachers` Association negotiated a collective agreement that outlines the terms and conditions of employment for educators in the territory.
The current collective agreement between the government and the teachers` association took effect on September 1, 2016, and will remain in effect until August 31, 2021. The agreement covers a wide range of issues related to teacher employment, including salary, benefits, workload, professional development, and more.
Salary and Benefits
Under the current collective agreement, teachers in the NWT are paid according to a grid system that takes into account their years of experience and level of education. The grid ranges from Level 1 (which includes new teachers with a bachelor`s degree) to Level 13 (which includes teachers with a PhD and many years of experience).
In addition to base salary, teachers in the NWT receive a range of benefits, including health and dental insurance, sick leave, maternity/paternity leave, and more. The agreement also provides for a northern living allowance, which varies depending on the location of the teacher`s community.
Workload and Professional Development
The collective agreement includes provisions related to workload and professional development, both of which are important factors in ensuring that teachers are able to provide high-quality education to their students. The agreement mandates a maximum class size of 30 students in most cases, and also requires that teachers be given adequate preparation time and resources to meet the needs of their students.
The agreement also provides for ongoing professional development opportunities for teachers, including paid leave for attending conferences and workshops, and support for continuing education and training programs.
Other Issues
Beyond salary, benefits, workload, and professional development, the collective agreement addresses a number of other important issues related to teacher employment in the NWT. For example, the agreement outlines the process for dealing with grievances and disputes, and provides for a joint committee to monitor and address issues related to teacher workload and working conditions.
The agreement also includes provisions related to the hiring and transfer of teachers, as well as the use of substitute teachers and temporary contract teachers.
Conclusion
The Northwest Territories Teachers Collective Agreement is a vital document that outlines the terms and conditions of employment for teachers in the NWT. By ensuring that teachers are properly compensated and supported, and that their workload and professional development needs are adequately addressed, the agreement plays a key role in promoting high-quality education in the territory.