The Winnipeg School Division
1577 Wall Street East, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3E 2S5
Telephone: (204) 775-0231
Fax: (204) 772-6464
Email: pclarke@wsd1.org
P.E. CLARKE M.Ed.
Chief Superintendent
January 19, 2016
Mr. Nathan Martindale, President
Winnipeg Teachers Association
202-2639 Portage Avenue
Winnipeg, MB R3J 0P7
Dear Mr. Martindale:
Re: Letter of Understanding – Validity of Break Period Language Limiting Maternity Leave Top-Up Payments
The following sets out the understanding reached between the Winnipeg School Division and the Winnipeg Teachers’ Association of the Manitoba Teachers’ Society (“the Parties”) regarding the validity of the break language in paragraph 2 of the Memorandum of Agreement on Maternity Leave Benefits Application Rules attached to the collective agreement, which language results in teachers being paid less than the maximum top-up benefit of one hundred and thirty-five (135) days set out in Article 20:05 of the collective agreement:
1. the Parties acknowledge that a similar issue is the subject of a grievance arbitration hearing between the Mountain View Teachers’ Association and the Mountain View School Division (“the Mountain View matter”), which matter is scheduled for September 7 to 9, 2016;
2. to avoid delays in concluding the collective agreement between the Parties as well as to avoid litigation the Parties agree to be bound by the final decision of the arbitration board in the Mountain View matter including any subsequent judicial decisions related thereto for the period of time the current collective agreement remains in effect; and
3. nothing prevents either Party from proposing changes to Article 20:05 and/or the Rules of Application in subsequent collective agreement negotiations.
Yours sincerely,
____________
Chief Superintendent
This will confirm the Association’s agreement with the understanding set forth in the above letter as of this 19th day of January, 2016.
_________________________ _________________________
Business Agent President