It will be class as usual Monday morning for thousands of students across the region.
Just after the five o’clock deadline on Sunday, the Ministry of Education and the trustees’ association announced they have reached a tentative provincial agreement with the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), representing education support staff across Ontario.
Although the two sides previously reached an agreement on a 3.59% wage increase, the union had been fighting for higher staffing levels.
CUPE-OSBCU president Laura Walton said the deal left much to be desired, but was the best they could get.
Walton says the tentative deal includes a flat rate increase instead of a percentage, and lacked new funding to guarantee that services will be provided in schools for students.
Education Minister Stephen Lecce said both sides were able to receive some incremental wins and should be content with the outcome.
The agreement still needs to be ratified by CUPE members.