LETTER OF UNDERSTANDING
BETWEEN
The Park West School Division (hereinafter referred to as “the Division”)
and
The Park West Teachers’ Association of the Manitoba Teachers’ Society
(hereinafter referred to as “the Association”)
RE: Agreement to waive the provision of Article 7 – Noon Hour for a minimum uninterrupted meal period of fifty-five (55) minutes at Major Pratt School, Hamiota Collegiate Institute, Hamiota Elementary School, Birtle Collegiate Institute, Birtle Elementary School, Strathclair Community School, Shoal Lake School and Rossburn Collegiate Institute.
Preamble
The Division and the Association acknowledge that the length of both the instructional school day and the mid-day intermission at Major Pratt School in Russell, Hamiota Collegiate Institute in Hamiota, Hamiota Elementary School in Hamiota, Birtle Collegiate Institute and Birtle Elementary School in Birtle, Strathclair Community School in Strathclair, Shoal Lake School in Shoal Lake, and Rossburn Collegiate Institute in Rossburn are currently shorter relative to all other schools in the Division. In consideration of the Association agreeing to waive the provision of Article 7 – Noon Hour for a minimum uninterrupted meal period of fifty-five (55) minutes for teachers assigned to Major Pratt School, Hamiota Collegiate Institute, Hamiota Elementary School, Birtle Collegiate Institute, Birtle Elementary School, Strathclair Community School, Shoal Lake School and Rossburn Collegiate Institute the Division agrees that said teachers shall be expected to work a shortened instructional day in accordance with the provisions as outlined in the attached Schedule “A”.
Agreement
The aforementioned parties agree that,
1. Notwithstanding the existing provisions of Article 7 – Noon Hour of the Collective Agreement effective September 19, 2016 between the Division and the Association, the Association agrees to waive the obligation of the Division under Article 7 to provide teachers assigned to Major Pratt School, Hamiota Collegiate Institute, Hamiota Elementary School, Birtle Collegiate Institute, Birtle Elementary School, Strathclair Community School, Shoal Lake School and Rossburn Collegiate Institute with an uninterrupted meal period of a minimum of fifty-five (55) minutes, and in consideration thereof, the Division agrees to maintain a shorter instructional school day with a reduced uninterrupted meal period at Major Pratt School, Hamiota Collegiate Institute, Hamiota Elementary School, Birtle Collegiate Institute, Birtle Elementary School, Strathclair Community School, Shoal Lake School and Rossburn Collegiate Institute as per attached Schedule “A” effective date of signing.
2. Except for an uninterrupted meal period of a minimum of fifty-five (55) minutes in length, all of the other provisions under Article 7 – Noon Hour shall remain in effect for teachers assigned to Major Pratt School, Hamiota Collegiate Institute, Hamiota Elementary School, Birtle Collegiate Institute, Birtle Elementary School, Strathclair Community School, Shoal Lake School and Rossburn Collegiate Institute.
3. Unless there is prior agreement between the parties in the event the Division acts to vary the instructional school day at Major Pratt School, Hamiota Collegiate Institute, Hamiota Elementary School, Birtle Collegiate Institute, Birtle Elementary School, Strathclair Community School, Shoal Lake School or Rossburn Collegiate Institute in any way that is different from the instructional school day outlined on the attached Schedule “A”, the terms and conditions of this Letter of Understanding for that particular school(s) shall become null and void effective immediately and teachers assigned to the affected school shall resume having an uninterrupted meal period of a minimum of fifty-five (55) minutes in length as per Article 7 of the Collective Agreement.
4. Either party may terminate this letter of understanding effective either on the first day of the Fall Term or the first day of the Spring Term in any school year. The party intending to terminate must provide written notice to the other party at least ninety (90) days prior to June 30th for termination effective on the following first day of the Fall Term or January 31st for termination effective on the following first day of the Spring Term. Upon the date of termination, the terms and conditions of this letter of understanding shall become null and void effective immediately and teachers assigned to Major Pratt School, Hamiota Collegiate Institute, Hamiota Elementary School, Birtle Collegiate Institute, Birtle Elementary School, Strathclair Community School, Shoal Lake School and Rossburn Collegiate Institute shall be entitled to an uninterrupted meal period of a minimum of fifty-five (55) minutes in length as per Article 7 of the Collective Agreement.
5. This agreement shall be attached to the Collective Agreement between the Association and the Division effective July 1st, 2014 and shall remain in effect until a new collective agreement is negotiated between the Association and the Division effective July 1st, 2018.
Signed the 16th day of September, 2016.
For the Association
___________________________PWTA President
PWTA
___________________________ Collective Bargaining Chair
___________________________ PWTA Secretary
For the Division
___________________________ Board Chairperson
___________________________ Secretary-Treasurer