P.E.I. teachers' union votes for binding arbitration in contract dispute

The Prince Edward IslandTeachers' Federation has voted to take contract talks with the province to binding arbitration after the two sides failed to reach an agreement through conciliation.

• P.E.I. Teachers Federation agrees to conciliation over contract
• P.E.I. teacher contract talks break down, union asks for binding arbitration

• P.E.I. Teachers' Federation walks out on negotiations

Federation president Bethany MacLeod said some of the keyissues still outstanding are around working conditions for Island teachers.

"Preparation time is a huge one," she said. "Class composition.We'd like I guess government to be more understanding of what class composition really means in today's changing classroom just that we need more supports in the classroom, more resources."

"I think the biggest thing is that teachers want to be treated fairly in comparison to what other unions received in their negotiations. Bethany MacLeod, P.E.I Teachers' Federation

MacLeodsaid teacher salaries were also a stumbling block. The union wouldn't say what government was offering, but confirmed it was a five-year contract in which teachers would see no salary increase at all in at leastone of the five years.

"And with the working conditions changing how much they do every year I don't think it would be fair to ask teachers to accept that," she said.

"I think the biggest thing is that teachers want to be treated fairly in comparison to what other unions received in their negotiations."

The P.E.I. Department of Education, Early Learning & Culture issued a brief written statement whichsaid"the department remains hopeful that anagreement can be reached to ensure sustainable supports for our Islandlearners."

Rocky road to new deal

The last contract between the province and its 2,200 teachers expired at the end of August. Negotiations on a new contract have been rocky, with the PEITF walking away from negotiations in June and again in October.

The federation said it was applying for binding arbitration the last time talks broke down, but later agreed to attempt non-binding conciliation as an interim step.

The union told its members in a letter in October before conciliation that the financial offer from the province didn't match what other unions were receiving, concluding that "once again, teachers have been undervalued and disrespected by government."

Teachers on P.E.I. do not have the right to strike.