In 2014 OPC, the Council of Trustee Associations and the Crown agreed to Terms of Reference for two-tier sequenced negotiations for principals and vice-principals. Initial negotiations for a central Memorandum of Settlement began in January 2016. A tentative agreement was reached in May and ratified by all Parties by June 2016. The term of the first Central Agreement is from September 1, 2014 to August 31, 2018 and includes:
- compensation adjustments
- a provincial Professional Development fund
- sick leave provisions
- the establishment of a Provincial Benefits Trust
- maternity and ESA leave SEB plans
- retirement gratuity provisions
- acting principal and vice-principal provisions and;
- various letters of agreement and the establishment of working groups.
Local negotiations are to follow, based upon The Effective Practices Guide, PPM 152 and B memo 16 which prescribe elements required in local terms and conditions of employment agreements.
The Effective Practices Guide and PPM 152 prescribe specific elements required in the local terms and conditions of employment agreements. PPM 152 dictates that all terms and conditions of employment for principals and vice-principals shall contain the following locally negotiated provisions:
- the specific roles of the board and of the local principal and vice-principal association
- a dispute-resolution process regarding the negotiations process and the interpretation and application of the contents of the document
- procedures for discipline, demotion, suspension, and termination for just cause, including procedures for representation, appeals, and third-party assistance
- a consultative process regarding assignments, which would include a consideration of section B1, “Transfer Provisions”, of the Effective Practices Guide for Principal/Vice-principal Terms and Conditions of Employment
- redundancy procedures, which would include a consideration of section B2, “Redundancy and Reassignment”, of the Effective Practices Guide for Principal/Vice-principal Terms and Conditions of Employment
- indemnification
- the term of the agreement
As noted above, not all district school boards have agreed to enter into terms and conditions contracts in accordance with these requirements. However, each district does have a contract, which is available to all of its principals and vice-principals.
Terms of reference for principal and vice-principal negotiations now require local negotiations on these and other local issues. Following agreement and ratification of the central and local agreements, each local principal and vice-principal association will have a first contract negotiated under these new provisions.