TEACHERS’ BENEFITS STRENGTHENED

Education Minister and Deputy Premier Ken Krawetz introduced legislation for second reading in the Legislature yesterday that will strengthen and improve benefits for approximately 500 teachers in Saskatchewan.

"Saskatchewan's government values the key role teachers play in helping youth secure their futures in Saskatchewan," Krawetz said, adding he expects the changes to take effect sometime in May, after the amendments receive Royal Assent. "By enacting this legislation, we are providing teachers with improved benefits and honouring the collective agreement that was reached last August."

"We are pleased that as a result of these legislative changes our members will benefit from the provisions negotiated during the most recent round of bargaining as characterized in the collective agreement ratified in fall 2007," Saskatchewan Teachers' Federation general secretary Gwen Dueck said.

When the amendments to The Teachers Superannuation and Disability Benefits Amendment Act receive Royal Assent, it will allow eligible teachers to purchase and count up to one year of compassionate leave as pensionable service and purchase additional pensionable service for periods of maternity, adoption, and parenting leave taken prior to February 3, 1998.

The Act is a negotiable item under the Provincial Collective Bargaining Agreement. A new collective agreement between Boards of Education, the Government of Saskatchewan and the Teachers of Saskatchewan was ratified in October 2007.

Teachers will be notified by the Saskatchewan Teachers' Federation when the amendments are approved.

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For more information, contact:

Jacquie McLean
Education
Regina
Phone: 306-787-5609
Email: jmclean@sasked.gov.sk.ca