Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to announce that on Saturday evening, the Government of the Northwest Territories and the Northwest Territories Teachers' Association reached a tentative collective agreement.
The two-year tentative deal was achieved with the assistance of a mediator. We have been advised by the NWTTA that their target for completing ratification by the membership is November 7, 2001. The key features of the tentative agreement include:
- • salary increases of 3 percent in the first year and 2.5 percent in the second year;
- • a yearly professional allowance of $750;
- • adjustments to northern allowance rates to account for changes in the cost of living; and
- • parental leave for both natural and adoptive parents increased from six months to up to one year to coincide with changes to the federal Employment Insurance Act.
Mr. Speaker, although the tentative agreement was achieved with the assistance of a mediator, the success of the collective bargaining process always comes down to a sincere desire by the parties to reach an agreement and to do the work it takes to get there. I appreciate the commitment of both the NWTTA and the GNWT bargaining teams and look forward to the results of the ratification vote. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.