Update • 2014—2015 • Vol. 42 No. 7
Transcription
Update • 2014—2015 • Vol. 42 No. 7
Update 2014–201 5 • V O L . 4 2 N O . 7 OSSTF/FEESO on strike Seven OSSTF/FEESO Teacher Bargaining Units across the province have courageously taken the lead on calling their local school boards to account. While all Districts have reported less than ideal bargaining conditions, these seven units have been particularly af- District 3, Rainbow TBU/OTBU President: James Clyke “We were eager to begin bargaining and gave fected and have consequently moved forward in their strike positions. We thought we’d let our members hear directly from the presidents of these Teacher Bargaining Units about how they have come to the point of labour disruption and why. District 13, Durham TBU President: Dave Barrowclough District 19, Peel TBU President: Mike Bettiol “District 13 is prepared to strike. The Durham “Our local collective agreement expired in Au- the Rainbow District Board eight possible dates District School Board has demonstrated little ur- gust 2014 so our members have been without a when we could meet and they came back with one gency in bargaining. The DDSB needs to amend contract for over seven months. In that time we half day for the Occasional Teaching Bargaining its passive-aggressive approach if we are ever have made little or no progress at the bargain- Unit and one half day for the Teacher Bargaining going to achieve meaningful progress on the lo- ing table. Unit. Subsequently, we gave them seven more cal issues of most importance to our OTBU and possible dates to which they responded to TBU members.” agreeing with only three. Our biggest concern is trying to get them to the table. For the past two years all I heard from them was that Bill 115 kept them away from the table, and now we give them dates and they drag their feet. It’s kind of ironic.” OSSTF/FEESO has kept members, supporters and the general public up-to-date on local strike actions and central table negotiations on the provincial website. Always check our provincial website for member news, resources and upcoming events at www.osstf.on.ca LABOUR ACTION OSSTF/FEESO CONFLITS DE TRAVAIL Our members have told us that they expect real improvements to our collective agreement and we are looking for opportunities to negotiate local contract issues with the Peel Board. In addition, while not related to the local bargaining, the Continued on page 2. Seven OSSTF/FEESO tient les membres, les supporteurs et le grand public au courant des mesures de grève locales et des négociations à la table centrale par le biais du site Web provincial. Consultez toujours notre site Web provincial pour les nouvelles destinées aux membres, les ressources et les prochaines activités à www.osstf.on.ca Continued from front page Seven districts lack of progress being made at central table negotiations is very frustrating to our membership. We need more dates to negotiate and we need the Peel Board to engage in serious discus- local table and we will NOT tolerate strips, of any and missing assignments, zeroes and plagiarism. kind, to our contract. It’s time we addressed key In general, I think it represents a growing de- issues including Health and Safety of members mand for OSSTF/FEESO to play a role in terms and working conditions. We are prepared to stand of brokering more consultation with our employer united to ensure this happens.” before changes occur that affect our members’ District 20, Halton TBU President: Brad Fisher everyday working lives. This local assessment policy, a new ‘attendance support’ policy, consistent implementation of safety plans and tracking sions at our local table. We hope that the decision of violent incidents are just a few of the issues to apply for conciliation and potentially undertake that really demand a more consultative local job action will convince the Peel District School working relationship. Board to take their responsibility to negotiate In my mind, maintaining the integrity of seriously and come to the local table prepared local bargaining this round is part of ensur- to bargain.” ing that a strong working relationship with the employer continues.” District 6A, Thunder Bay District 25, Ottawa-Carleton TBU/OT President: Paul Caccamo TBU President: Dan Maxwell “We are hoping for the best, but planning for the worst! At the beginning of February, the District 20 Teachers requested a meeting with the board’s bargaining teams to set the ground rules and begin local negotiations. The Human Resource Executive Officer and Manager agreed to meet with the President and Chief Negotiator on February 19. “The treatment we received in 2012 followed At that meeting they requested that our two by the impatience associated with working with teams, rather than negotiate, have a series of “Respect for professional decisions on all an expired contract have led to significant frus- meetings to go through the contract and colour things related to a teacher’s classroom has tration with members of the District 6A TBU and code all of it. We informed the Board that our been abandoned. Teachers in District 25 Ottawa- OT units. We are serious about real bargaining, brief was ready, fully vetted by our Provincial Ne- Carleton are feeling robbed of their ability to influ- we are committed to negotiating real gains at our gotiator and we offered to do the same for their ence that which happens in their classrooms on brief. They admitted that they didn’t have one and a daily basis. There must be a strong and direct they wouldn’t have one until April 20. A full two push-back by OSSTF/FEESO against the over- months later! whelming extension of administrative duties con- Update Update is published by the Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation/Fédération des enseignantes-enseignants des écoles secondaires de l’Ontario Editor: D. Bellissimo Managing Editor: R. Allan Editorial Board: R. Banderob, G. Fenn, P. Kossta, W. Milliner, M. Young For changes in mailing addresses, please email sabrina.chiu@osstf.ca or irene.wong@osstf.ca Visit the OSSTF/FEESO website at osstf.on.ca At the March 4 meeting, Bob Fisher, our Pro- stantly dropped down on teachers. We will stand vincial Negotiator, offered them 22 days to meet up for hard-won provisions that protect our work- in March and April, but they responded with one load. Today, more than ever, the employer needs half day in March and one day towards the end to know that REAL education is based on effective of April. teaching and inspired student learning and not on Normally, the time between meetings gets the narrow, dubious choice of “data-mining” and shorter as you move into the negotiating process. simple number-crunching. The teachers of Ottawa- Here, the meetings seemed to be getting farther Carleton are determined to regain, on behalf of and farther apart.” all education workers, the esteem and dignity that District 24, Waterloo TBU President: Sherry Freund If you have comments or queries, please address them to: Update, OSSTF/FEESO, 60 Mobile Drive, Toronto, Ontario, M4A 2P3. Tel.: 416-751-8300, 800-267-7867 Email: domenic.bellissimo@osstf.ca The opinions and views expressed in Update do not necessarily reflect the opinions and views of OSSTF/FEESO. Member Canadian Association of Labour Media and the Canadian Education Press Association “Over the last few years, in Waterloo, members have really struggled with our board’s implementation of the locally-developed portion of the Growing Success document which deals with late 2 Update 2014–2015 • VO L. 42 NO . 7 should be afforded them by a genuinely caring and committed employer.” Durham strike action Queen's Park notes OSSTF/FEESO Local Lobby Month W hile OSSTF/FEESO was in the midst of central and local collective bargain- ing in the month of April, district federation leaders were also conducting lobbying efforts with local MPPs on a number of other topics. Federation leaders were keen to impress upon MPPs that a variety of issues, beyond the bargaining table, were important to members. Some of those issues included the impact of the school environment on student success. Numerous studies have made the connection between school cleanliness and the level of student success. Schools and educational facilities that are clean, wellmaintained and kept in good repair contribute to an improvement in student success. Some of the recommendations from OSSTF/ FEESO included: working with federations to find ways to better address cleaning and maintenance issues and shortfalls in the system; dedicating appropriate funding to improve routine cleaning, maintenance, repairs and renovations; creating a new provincial standard for school building conditions, with input from education stakeholders and ensuring that annual funding reflects the true cost of operations, including an accounting for annual increases in hydro rates, water usage, consumable supplies and insurance premiums. Another key issue for OSSTF/FEESO is the workload and volunteerism of our members. MPPs were asked to help reduce the number of ministry and board initiatives to allow education workers to focus on students. As well, workload expectations have increased significantly causing increases in stress and negative impacts on the personal and family lives of our members. Many teachers and support staff continue to volunteer for a large number of extra-curricular activities. Our leaders urged MPPs to decrease the number of new initiatives and to support initiatives that have proven to be effective with appropriate training, time and resources for education workers. They also emphasized allowing teachers to have a greater say in the professional learning that they see as being more relevant and effective to improving their daily practices. MPPs were also asked to continue to recognize that staff participation in extra-curricular activities is voluntary. Update 2014–2015 • VOL . 4 2 N O. 7 3 Editorial The misnomer of Grants for Student Needs T he general public may have given a collective sigh of relief on March 26 when the Minister of Education Liz Sandals announced that funding for public education in 2015/2016 would be the same as this past year—$22.5 billion. The Wynne government has continued to remind Ontarians that they face difficult fiscal circumstances. So, a flat lined education budget versus a cut convenient way to manage public education ety rather than an investment. Until the Ontario doesn’t look so bad to the general public. through a lens of fiscal restraint rather through government changes its perspective on fiscal re- But what does that funding for next year look one of student need. Public education continues straint, student needs will take a back seat to an like? What does it really mean for public education? to be viewed by government as a cost to soci- austerity agenda. Annual government funding, known as Grants Government special needs strategy may affect you for Student Needs (GSNs), for Ontario’s public education system is complex at best. The now nearly two decades old funding formula, instituted by former premier Mike Harris, is based on a per student amount, which is used to cover all aspects of a student’s learning, including wages for teachers and support staff, classroom materials, technology and other essential needs. Funding for building use and maintenance is based on a ratio of students per square feet. Many school boards will face reduced funding. Despite the Liberals’ claims that funding for education has continued to increase since it took government in 2003, most boards have been forced to make cuts to front-line personnel, es- M sultation with the union in the development and implementation of the strategy. In addition, this strategy could result in the loss of curriculum and education team expertise if services are not provided by school board employed professionals. Provincially, we have sent letters to the Premier and the Minister of Education requesting increased consultation on this strategy. Staff members have met with government officials on embers of PSSP (Profession- a number of occasions and have raised our con- al Student Services Personnel) cerns about the SNS. A meeting was held Janu- Bargaining Units, specifically ary 22, 2015 for PSSP presidents. They were speech-language pathologists, provided with information and resources to assist occupational them in lobbying their boards around this issue. therapists and physiotherapists are anxiously following the im- We continue to monitor the situation both plementation of the government’s new Special locally and provincially. Contact your local PSSP needs students. This “stable” funding for next Needs Strategy (SNS). The SNS will change the president or Cathy Renfrew (cathy.renfrew@ year does not guarantee more front-line support. way children and youth receive rehabilitation ser- osstf.ca We have already seen in local media outlets vices by June 2016. Bargaining Units that repre- any questions. pecially support staff personnel who help special that school boards are announcing huge cuts sent these job classes will be impacted. to teaching staff for the next school year, and Thirty-four proposal tables have been created cuts to support staff are sure to follow. If funding across the province. These tables must examine was truly “stable” for next year, why are many local needs/resources and submit a proposal to boards projecting higher levels of layoffs than the government that will create: ever before? 1. A coordinated service planning process for chil- Class size limits in collective agreements are dren and youth with multiple or complex spe- now seen as a target and not a maximum by cial needs. school boards. Staffing guarantees are seen as 2. A process for the integrated delivery of reha- minimums and not a place to start. Smaller class bilitation services (speech-language pathology, sizes improve student achievement. Having more occupational therapy, physiotherapy) for chil- support for individual students who need it makes dren from birth to the end of high-school. In a number of districts, tables are consider- our education system better. So, why do the fiscal constraints and an envi- ing having the local Children’s Treatment Centre ronment of doing more with less continue in On- or Community Care Access Centre provide the tario’s public education system to this day? services to all children, including those currently It’s the funding formula. That same outdated, seen by our members. poorly thought out formula that the Liberals OSSTF/FEESO supports many aspects of the promised to change or scrap in favour of one strategy including the integration of speech and that truly addresses student needs. Instead, the language services for school-aged children. How- government has found the formula to be a very ever, we are concerned about the lack of con- 4 Update 2014–2015 • VO L. 42 NO . 7 or 1.800.267.7867) if you have Bystanders condone through inaction Sexual Harassment Awareness Week —Sexual Harassment Awareness Week, June 1–7, 2015 June 1–7, 2015 S exual harassment is defined under the Ontario Human Rights Code as “engaging in a course of vexatious • It’s Never Okay, Ontario government culture for far too long—from cat calls to wolf comment or conduct that is known Action Plan whistles—and now is the time for us all to stand or ought to be known to be unwel- www.youtube.com/watch?v=c2ZSZrGc-O8 up against it. come.” It occurs everywhere where human inter- • International Anti-Street Harassment Week /Lauren Simmons, is a teacher in District 12, action takes place. It’s in subtle remarks we ignore www.youtube.com/watch?v=4GRr1yTp0V0 Toronto and is a member of the Provincial Status in our workplaces, in rituals of initiation on our uni- The reality is that sexual harassment includes of Women Committee. versity campuses, in unwelcome text messages behaviours that have been normalized in our on our cellphones, and in recent high-profile cases of celebrities whose problematic behaviours were long ignored. JULY Sexual Harassment Awareness Week, first Belleville Pride July 4 observed by the Government of Ontario in 2007, www.bellevillepride.ca provides an opportunity for educators, leaders and Sudbury Pride July 19−26 www.sudburypride.com employers to shift the conversation around sexual harassment, to create environments where people feel safe and supported, to build an understanding of why harassment is harmful, and to start a meaningful dialogue about what we can do to stop it. OSSTF/FEESO’s Still Not Laughing is a re- 2015 ONTARIO PRIDE CELEBRATIONS Peel Pride July 23 JUNE www.peelpride.ca Kingston Pride June 11−14 www.kingstonpride.ca www.pridedurham.com P R I D E workshop based on these resources that aim to increase participants’ awareness and understand- www.muskokapride.com Pride Durham June 3−7 source that can be helpful in this process. It’s a resource list, tool kit for action and a two-hour Muskoka Pride July 17−26 Perth Pride June 6 MAY Timmin Pride June 5−14 develop strategies to challenge it. www.guelphpride.com Barrie Pride (first) June 6−13 Workshops like this are just one way to shift Elliot Lake Pride May 29−31 our cultural conversations around sexual harass- www.elpride.ca ment from gossip and hearsay and bystanderism Tri-Pride: Kitchener/Cambridge/Waterloo May 30−June 6 to concrete actions. www.tri-pride.ca Take action: Visit our provincial web page to book a Pride Niagara (St. Catharines) May 31−June 6 www.prideniagara.com workshop: www.osstf.on.ca/en-CA/pd-training/ workshops-and-presentations/educationalservices-workshops Use White Ribbon Campaign materials when working with students, such as: • Draw the Line www.whiteribbon.ca/ draw-the-line Please note: The dates were accurate at the time of printing. Members are encouraged to check the individual websites prior to attending any of the Pride events. To add or edit Pride Celebrations, please contact Wayne Milliner at wayne.milliner@osstf.ca. https://sites.google.com/ site/brockvillepride Pride London July 17−26 www.pridelondon.ca www.facebook.com/ LGBTLanarkCountyCivitanClub ing of sexual harassment, as well as to help them Guelph Pride May 3−10 Brockville Pride Walk July 18 www.timminspride.com www.facebook.com/BarriePride Thunder Pride June 7−June 14 www.thunderpride.ca Hamilton Pride June 15−21 www.hamiltonpride.org Grey Bruce Pride June 12−14 AUGUST Simcoe County Pride July 30−August 8 www.simcoepride.com Windsor-Essex Pride Festival August 7−9 www.wepridefest.com Capital Pride August 14−23 www.capitalpride.ca www.facebook.com/GreyBrucePride Chatham-Kent Pride August 21−23 York Pride Fest June 13−21 www.pride-ck.com www.yorkpridefest.com Brantford Pride June 15−21 www.brantfordpride.ca Gananoque Pride Festival June 20−22 http://1000islandsganoque.com/ lgbt-summer-solstice Pride Toronto June 19−28 www.pridetoronto.com • It Starts with You. It Stays with Him SEPTEMBER Peterborough Pride September 12−19 www.peterboroughpride.ca Sault Pride Fest September 7−13 www.algomaats.wiz.com/ sault-pride www.itstartswithyou.ca and click on the Educators link • I’m a Male Model bit.ly/1Feh4Gs Check out, and discuss with students, other campaigns, such as those at post-secondary institutions: • studentlife.ryerson.ca/personal/ end-street-harassment Update 2014–2015 • VOL . 4 2 N O. 7 5 A NOTICE TO MEMBERS OSSTF/FEESO SUPPORTS BOYCOTT Bottles, not cans! —A boycott of Crown Holdings Inc. W Member recognition T his year, Richard Hogan, Presi- ing workforce if a settlement is reached. These USW workers have now been on strike for over dent of PSUO-SSUO, University of Ottawa District 35, is celebrating 45 years of employment at the Univer- 18 months. The Canadian Labour Congress (CLC) has called for a national boycott of beer cans produced by Crown Holdings, which includes many well-known brands: sity of Ottawa. He is proud of his ca- reer on campus with his sights still firmly focussed on his future…at the University, for a while yet. Richard, was raised and educated in Rouyn- hat do beer cans and a • Molson Noranda, Quebec and started at the University 33 per cent wage cut have • Coors Library’s “front line” during a time when paper in common? Crown Hold- • Labatt was used exclusively for cataloguing—but after ings Incorporated. This is • Budweiser 37 years at the library Richard made a career one of the largest produc- • Moosehead change when he was elected as President of • Creemore PSUO-SSUO, the Bargaining Unit representing • Steam Whistle more than 1,300 support staff at the University of ers of beer cans in the world and its Toronto plant was the 2012 “Plant of the Year” for its “safety, productivity and budget management.” NOT included in the boycott are Sleeman’s Ottawa in 2007. Yet, 120 members of the United Steelwork- or aluminum bottles of Coors as they are The arrival of the union, Richard says, was ers (USW) Local 9176 were forced to strike in produced by another company with unionized one of the most significant events of his 45 years September 2013 after the highly profitable plant workers. For more information about the boy- on campus. Today, Richard’s University of Ottawa tabled an offer that would have cut the pay of cott, a list of boycotted brands, and how to family also includes his wife, Yolande—celebrat- existing workers by 33 per cent, and that of new find a can made by Crown Holdings, go to ing 30 years of employment in 2015, and their hires by 42 per cent. www.bottlesnotcans.ca. daughter (and alumna), Genevieve, nearly 100 In addition, Crown management, which is run OSSTF/FEESO calls on all members to by a CEO whose average wage is $13 million per send a message to Crown Holdings by joining At age 63, Richard is still of positive energy. year, vows to keep the current replacement work- the boycott and sharing this information with all Even the number “45” doesn’t convince him to ers at the plant and layoff 75 per cent of the strik- family, friends and colleagues. slow down. He intends to seek re-election to years of combined service. the PSUO-SSUO presidency in June. “We have a good employer, and we have good working How to Identify a Crown Can conditions,” says Richard about the University. However, citing his keyword “respect,” he says that employees want respect from their employer. Acting on behalf of his university family, Richard Hogan hopes to continue his work finding respect Step 1: Find a can for all members of the Bargaining Unit. In nearly eight years Richard has promoted the University as a bilingual institution where both official languages are of prime importance and he has promoted this within OSSTF/FEESO. Richard has been through two rounds of negotiations, the first Collective Agreement was for 2007–2012 ratified in fall 2009 the second for 2012–2016 ratified in fall 2013. Step 2: Turn can to barcode By the beginning of 2016 Notice to bargain will be given for the third round of negotiations and he looks forward to it as much as the first one. Step 3: Find the crown Richard Hogan, President of PSUO-SSUO, University of Ottawa District 35 6 Update 2014–2015 • VO L. 42 NO . 7 In the community District profile District 17—Simcoe and with volunteers. • The District's Status of Women Committee hosted a large event commemorating December 6 that featured the Barrie Women’s Shelter. Our Political Action Committee is Bargaining Units— • Teachers Bargaining Unit • Occasional Teachers Bargaining Unit very involved with elections and promoting progressive candidates in all elections. • All of our committees and many of our • Instructors (Public Board) members are active in various com- • Educational Assistants and Designated munity groups such as the David Busby Early Childhood Educators (Catholic Street Centre, the Barrie Food Bank, area Board) Women’s shelters and community events • Office Clerical and Technical (Catholic Board) • Plant Maintenance (Catholic Board) such as Kids Help Phone, Terry Fox Runs, Run for the Cure, MS fundraising events and many more. • We have representatives on our three Employers— • Simcoe County District School Board area Labour Councils with OSSTF/FEESO members as presidents of two of them. • Simcoe Muskoka Catholic District School Board District 17, Simcoe local office Total schools for each board— • Public Board—17 Secondary schools and Day of Pink seven Learning Centres • Catholic Board—50 schools with a new school opening in Bradford for September 2015 District 11, Thames Valley local office staff (left) and Provincial Office staff (below), showing support for Day of Pink, April 8 Total enrolment in 2014/15— • Public Board—51,153 • Catholic Board—20,072 Total area of each board— • 4,800 square kilometres—includes all of Simcoe County, plus Parry Sound and Muskoka for the Catholic Board Location of District/BU office— • 51 King St, Unit 6, Barrie, ON General Challenges and Concerns— • Geography is a huge issue for all OSSTF/ FEESO members. End to end in the board is about two hours with lots of small rural schools and a wide variety of weather conditions. • Have five ridings for federal and provincial elections. • Different from many boards in OSSTF/ FEESO in that our Catholic Board and Public Board have different borders. Community involvement— • Our Human Rights Committee is very involved in the community, planning the 2nd annual Pride Prom for our LGBTQ students and their allies, a very successful Human Equal Pay Day Provincial Office staff (right), showing support for Equal Pay Day, April 20 Rights Film Festival and supporting both Barrie Pride and Simcoe Pride financially Update 2014–2015 • VOL . 4 2 N O. 7 7 Time is money! Get the salary you deserve! The OSSTF/FEESO Certification Department evaluates teacher academic/technical credentials and issues Certification Rating Statements for salary placement purposes. HAVE A $50 COFFEE BREAK, ON US! Sign up for Educators eNews for financial tips and resources geared to education members, AND a chance to WIN $50 Tim Horton’s gift cards! Only it can give authoritative advice on the certification process. Upgrading courses for use in salary placement must be approved by the department. Don’t wait! Re-evaluate! Go to the Certification Quick Link at osstf.on.ca Sign up for eNews today: educatorsfinancialgroup.ca/coffeebreak educ at orsf ina ncia lgroup.c a Classified ads Canada Post Corporation Publication Mail Agreement No. 40012523 VO L. 42 NO . 7 Update Update 2014–2015 • Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to 8 cabin: great swimming, canoe, fishing boat, badminton, basketball, ping-pong, BBQ, fire pit. $1,200.00 weekly June-September. No pets/smoking/private boats. 416.651.4929 or cottagerental65@hotmail.com. FOR RENT. P.E.I.—Kelly’s Homestead. 3-bdrm farmhouse near Charlottetown. 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EcoSpark has opened the figurative doors to Nature Academy, an EE PD program for I/S teachers. Workshops run all summer and feature dozens of special guests and take-aways. To learn more, visit www.natureacademy. ca. Hope to see you in the field! SAIL GREECE. New extended sailing season. Book now from 500 Euro per person per week! Visit www. sailgreece.ca or email sailgreececanada@yahoo.com. THINKING ABOUT the 4 over 5 plan? We did and had a year of travel and adventure. Check out “Too far south for the North Sea” by Allan Walker available on iBooks. ANNOUNCE events, services, products and opportunities in Update classified. Your message reaches a readership of up to 60,000. Rates: $1.25 per word, 25 words minimum, 80 words maximum per insertion. No refunds. Contact Kristina Ferorelli (kristina.ferorelli@ osstf.ca) at Provincial Office. Telephone 416.751.8300 or 1.800.267.7867. Although advertisements are screened as carefully as possible, acceptance of an advertisement does not imply OSSTF/FEESO endorsement of the product or service. OSSTF/FEESO, 60 Mobile Drive, Toronto, ON M4A 2P3 ?FUNDRAISING? Eco-friendly rain barrel sales require minimal effort, and generate a $10+ profit per barrel. Instructions, supplies and ongoing support provided. www.RainBarrel.ca/Schools, Fundraise@RainBarrel.ca, 905.545.5577. 2015 MARKS THE 17TH YEAR since the dissolution of the Ottawa Board of Education (OBE). You are invited to join former OBE employees and friends for a scrumptious buffet supper, silent auction, walk down memory lane, mix and mingle: Date: September 26, 2015 Time: 4:30 to 11:00 p.m. Location: Algonquin College 1385 Woodroffe Avenue Ottawa, Ontario. For ticket purchase and event details, visit the reunion web site: www.obereunion.ca or contact Ross Maxwell at 613.271.8405. 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