MARCH 1, 2019

To: All Teachers
From: Dean Ingram, NLTA President
Re: Ratification Vote

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Dear Colleagues;

I want to take this opportunity to thank every teacher who participated in the ratification vote for the tentative agreement. As leader of our democratic institution, I was pleased to see teachers openly discussing and debating the points that were important to them. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Branch Presidents and School Representatives for conducting the ratification ballot.

It was the opinion of the negotiating team, Provincial Executive and our Branch Presidents that we had negotiated the best deal possible in the current economic environment, understanding that other bargaining units had agreed to similar concessions. The gains in this round of bargaining are not insignificant, but did come at a cost. That being said, the final say always remains with our rank and file members. Voter turnout was high and it is clear from the results that a majority of teachers are prepared, perhaps reluctantly, to accept the tentative agreement, but there remains a sizable minority that are upset by the concessions demanded by government. The term of this agreement will take us to August 2020; at that time, the NLTA will be prepared to negotiate with government knowing that our teachers are finished with concessions, inadequate classroom supports and salary freezes. I hope that the willingness to fight expressed in so many quarters of the province over the past month remains strong for the next 17 months.

RESULTS

3068 – ACCEPT

2110 – REJECT

5178 – TOTAL

Dean Ingram
President