City schools' support staff back new contract

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Paola Loriggio and Kristin Rushowy

The union representing a wide range of school administrative and support staff has ratified a four-year collective agreement with the Toronto District School Board, with 98.7 per cent ratifying the deal.

It provides a salary increase of 3 per cent a year for four years and improved benefits, said John Weatherup, president of the Canadian Union of Public Employees local 4400.

The deal also creates about 30 new school secretary positions and 40 additional caretaking jobs that Weatherup called "improvements in staffing levels for safety reasons."

Also, educational assistants working with special needs students will see their hours of work increase.

According to the CUPE 4400 website, the union also fought off concessions sought from caretakers, bus drivers and warehouse staff, including the possibility of split shifts and use of casual workers.

Negotiations began this summer; the parties reached a deal Friday.