Update • 2015–2016 • Vol. 43 No. 3

Update
2015–201 6 • V O L . 4 3 N O . 3
Central Support Staff deal reached
Entente
centrale
conclue pour
le personnel
de soutien
Council of Trustees’ Associations only
agreed to a total of 15 face-to-face
central table bargaining dates since
notice was served to bargain back
in the summer of 2014. Each time,
an advisory group made up of lo-
cal level OSSTF/FEESO support staff
presidents and chief negotiators were
brought in to provide advice to the
central bargaining team.
“The slow progress of negotiations
and the lack of bargaining dates indicated to us that there was a lack of respect on the part of the management
team for the work that our support
staff members do,” continued Elliott.
“Our message to the government and
the trustees throughout bargaining
A
P
resque 15 mois après l’échéance
des conventions collectives en août
2014, une entente centrale a été
conclue le 27 novembre entre les
15 000 membres du personnel de
soutien d’OSSTF/FEESO, le gouvernement de
l’Ontario et le Conseil d’associations d’employeurs.
was, and continues to be, to show
À la date de tombée pour l’impression, l’en-
a greater respect for our members
tente était en voie d’être communiquée à tous
and show greater recognition for the
les membres du personnel de soutien qui tra-
work that they do with the students of
vaillent dans les conseils scolaires ontariens pour
this province.”
être par la suite soumise à un vote provincial
Any central table deal requires that
de ratification.
lmost 15 months after contracts
OSSTF/FEESO support staff local presidents and
« La négociation d’une d’entente pour nos
expired in August 2014, a cen-
chief negotiators endorse the tentative agree-
membres du personnel de soutien avec le gouver-
tral deal was reached with over
ment before it is presented to members. The cen-
nement et le Conseil a été, à tout le moins, frus-
15,000 support staff members of
tral tentative agreement was endorsed by support
trante, » a déclaré Paul Elliott, président d’OSSTF/
OSSTF/FEESO, the Ontario Gov-
staff presidents and chief negotiators, and will
FEESO. « Indépendamment du processus, notre
ernment and the Council of Trustees’ Associa-
be voted on by all support staff members. The
but a été inébranlable – obtenir la meilleure entente
tions on November 27. As of the print deadline,
central level vote will require a double majority—
possible et juste pour notre personnel de soutien. »
the deal was in the process of being shared with
a majority of voting members and a majority of
Obtenir une entente à la table centrale pour le
all support staff members employed by Ontario
bargaining units must vote in favour of the deal in
personnel de soutien a été un processus lent, car
school boards and subsequently subject to a pro-
order for it to be ratified.
le gouvernement et le Conseil d’associations d’em-
vincial ratification vote.
In order to have a complete collective agree-
ployeurs n’ont convenu qu’à un total de 15 dates
“At a minimum, bargaining a deal for our sup-
ment, both a central table deal and a local level
de négociation en personne à la table centrale de-
port staff members with the government and the
deal must be ratified. Local negotiations for sup-
puis que l’avis de négociation a été donné à l’été
Council was frustrating,” said OSSTF/FEESO
port staff Bargaining Units have been ongoing for
2014. Chaque fois, le groupe consultatif, composé
President Paul Elliott. “Regardless of the process,
the past 15 months. As of the print date, only two
de présidences et de négociateurs en chef locaux
our goal was unwavering—get the best possible
support staff Bargaining Units in the province had
représentant le personnel de soutien d’OSSTF/
fair deal for our support staff.”
reached a local deal. There are 67 support staff
FEESO, a été invité afin de conseiller l’équipe de
Bargaining Units with school board employers
Suite à  la page 2. Entente
Getting to a central table deal for support
staff was a slow process as the Government and
represented by OSSTF/FEESO.
Suite de la  première page
Entente
les unités du personnel de soutien se poursuivent
depuis 15 mois. Au moment de l’impression, seulement deux unités de négociation du personnel de
soutien dans la province ont conclu une entente lo-
négociation centrale. cale. OSSTF/FEESO représente 67 unités de négo-
« Le lent processus de négociation et l’absence de dates de négociation nous ont révélé un
ciation du personnel de soutien au sein des conseils
scolaires employeurs.
manque de respect de la part de l’équipe d’em-
Local level
negotiations
ployeurs face au travail effectué par nos membres
du personnel de soutien, » a poursuivi Paul Elliott.
« Tout au long de la négociation, notre message au
gouvernement et au Conseil d’associations d’employeurs a toujours été, et continue d’être, de faire
As
Queen's Park
notes
Hydro One sale dominating legislature’s
business
que les présidents et négociateurs en chef du
full collective agreement is not reached until BOTH
personnel de soutien d’OSSTF/FEESO approuvent
a central agreement and a local level agreement
l’entente de principe avant qu’elle soit présentée
are ratified. For teachers and occasional teachers
T
aux membres. L'entente de principe centrale a été
of OSSTF/FEESO, the central table agreement
have challenged Premier Kathleen Wynne on
approuvée par les presidences et les négociateurs
has been reached and ratified. However, a number
the sale. Horwath says that the Liberals never
en chef du personnel de soutien et les membres du
of local agreements have not yet been reached to
mentioned the sale of Hydro One in the 2014
personnel de soutien se prononceront par scrutin.
complete this round of bargaining. At least two sup-
general election. Horwath adds that the sale of
Le vote à l’échelle centrale nécessitera une double
port staff bargaining units are about to begin local
a valuable provincial asset should be done with
majorité, soit la majorité des membres ayant droit
level job sanctions.
the approval of Ontarians. She points out that
preuve d’un plus grand respect pour nos membres
et de témoigner davantage de reconnaissance envers le travail qu’ils effectuent avec les élèves de
la province. »
part of the two-tiered
system of negotiations
legislated in the School
Boards Collective Bar-
Toute entente à la table centrale exige
gaining Act (SBCBA), a
hroughout the fall session, the
Liberals’ plan to sell-off 60 per
cent of Hydro One has dominated the business of the Provincial
Legislature.
Both NDP Leader Andrea Horwath and Pro-
gressive Conservative Leader Patrick Brown
de vote et la majorité des unités de négociation
Since September, at least seven Districts have
polls indicate that 80 per cent of Ontarians are
devant voter en faveur de l’entente pour qu’elle
seen their teachers engaged in job sanctions at the
opposed to the sale and that 185 municipalities
soit ratifiée.
local level, which have mainly targeted withdrawing
have passed resolutions opposing the sale. The
Pour que la convention collective soit complète,
from administrative duties. In some cases, these
Liberals counter that their 2014 election plat-
tant l’entente à la table centrale que celle locale
job sanctions have applied enough pressure at the
form mentioned that crown assets could be sold
doivent être ratifiées. Les négociations locales pour
local bargaining table to result in tentative agree-
and that the proceeds from the sale are needed
ments. In other cases, job sanctions continue.
to fund infrastructure programs.
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
As of the publication date, just over 30 teacher
As for the Conservatives, who historically
and occasional teacher Bargaining Units have
have championed the sale of public assets like
reached and ratified tentative local agreements.
Hydro One, their new found position is caus-
However, this represents over slightly half of all
ing some eyebrows to be raised. While the
teacher Bargaining Units in OSSTF/FEESO with a
Conservatives condemn the sale of the utility,
full collective agreement in place.
they concentrate their attacks on the sale of
School boards and local OSSTF/FEESO Bar-
a public monopoly to a private monopoly. The
gaining Units are limited to what they can negotiate
Conservatives are also focused on the rising
locally and cannot enter into negotiations on issues
price of electricity and say that the sale will only
addressed at the central table. For example, local
leave Ontarians more vulnerable. The Liberals
issues could include personnel files, leaves, oc-
counter that price increases will still be subject
casional teacher lists, health and safety, and many
to regulation.
other non-monetary items.
In the meantime, local level negotiations are
sale, is the recent report by the newly created
ongoing with all support staff Bargaining Units
Financial Accountability Officer (FAO). In it, the
employed by school boards. As of the publica-
FAO, Stephen LeClair, said that by broadening
tion date, only two local agreements have been
the utility’s ownership, Ontario will forego net in-
reached. It would appear that school boards have
come and payments-in-lieu of taxes from Hydro
been reluctant to speed up negotiations with sup-
One in the amount of $300–$500 annually. So,
port staff while waiting for a central table deal to
by making a short-term gain on the sell, Ontario
be reached, not unlike what happened in teacher
will eventually lose more in the long-term.
Visit the OSSTF/FEESO website at osstf.on.ca
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
2
Update 2015–2016
Added into the mix of condemnation of the
negotiations.
Despite the opposition demands and the
Once a central table has been reached and
FAO's report, Premier Wynne is determined to
ratified for support staff, local level negotiations will
proceed with the sale citing the need for con-
need to be completed between school board em-
tinued infrastructure investment, particularly
ployers and 67 OSSTF/FEESO support staff units
transportation infrastructure. Nonetheless, the
working various English and French public and
opposition parties do not plan to stop their calls
Catholic school boards in Ontario.
to end the sale of Hydro One.
• VO L. 43 NO . 3
Member
elected OFL
SecretaryTreasurer
O
SSTF/FEESO
member
Pat-
needs to be included, listened to and valued,”
said Buckley upon accepting his nomination. “My
job is to make sure that this Federation pulls together. My goal is to unite our labour movement
across Ontario.”
For the position of Executive Vice-President,
three names were put forward for nomination.
Ahmad Gaied from United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) won the election on the
first ballot.
OFL Action
Plan 2015
At
each biennial convention,
the Ontario Federation of
Labour (OFL) presents an
action plan to delegates
with the goal of engaging
ty Coates from District 17, Sim-
“Our movement is not about just a few indi-
all members of the labour movement in the prov-
coe, has been elected Secretary-
viduals, but rather the collective, and we are all
ince to affect change that will improve the lives of
Treasurer of the Ontario Feder-
part of this movement,” said Gaied. “Solidarity is
all Ontarians. The 2015 OFL Action Plan, themed
ation of Labour (OFL). She was
a fundamental value of the labour movement.”
Creating the Ontario We Want, calls on the Feder-
elected to the position at the 13th Biennial Con-
All three will assume their full time execu-
vention of the OFL, which took place in Toronto
tive roles at the OFL in the coming weeks for a
from November 23–27. Patty has been president
two-year term.
ation and all of its affiliates to focus their efforts in
four areas:
Engaging government
of the Educational Assistants’ Bargaining Unit in
The convention also featured a number of res-
Simcoe, representing educational assistants and
olutions, reports and keynote speakers. Among
early childhood educators for 16 years, and she
the speakers was Hassan Yussuff, President of
has served as president of the Barrie and District
the Canadian Labour Congress. In his speech
• Demanding changes to labour law, includ-
Labour Council for the past eight years. Patty be-
to delegates, Yussuff talked about meeting with
ing anti-scab legislation, restrictions on tem-
comes the first OSSTF/FEESO member to hold
Justin Trudeau, at which time the Prime Minister
porary worker agencies and increasing the
an elected executive position at the OFL.
committed to restoring $36 billion that was cut to
“Through my years of experience as a local
• Asserting labour’s voice in public policy discussion, debate and legislation
minimum wage
• Promoting a multi-stakeholder discussion
health care by Stephen Harper.
leader and a labour council activist, I have seen
On the issue of Trudeau’s promise to amend
time and time again that our greatest strength as
Bill C-51, Yussuff commented, “We don’t need to
• Demanding strong public services, includ-
a movement lies in both our unity and our diver-
make changes to Bill C-51, we need to repeal the
ing stopping the privatization of Hydro One.
sity,” said Coates in her address to the conven-
bloody law.”
about job creation and training in Ontario
Championing equity
tion. “Equity and inclusivity will always make us
Yussuff also expressed the Congress’ op-
stronger, and those principles must be at the core
position to the recently signed Trans-Pacific
of all the work we do.” Coates was acclaimed as
Partnership trade agreement, asked work-
reimagine itself beyond our immediate
Secretary-Treasurer.
ing Ontarians to oppose the selloff of Ontario
membership
• Challenging the labour movement to
Chris Buckley, a former president of Unifor Lo-
Hydro, and encouraged labour councils and local
• Organizing and mobilizing around pay eq-
cal 222 in Oshawa and a current Unifor national
unions to open their doors to Syrian refugees as
uity to close the gender wage gap once and
representative, was acclaimed as the new OFL
“new Canadians.”
for all
President. He replaces Sid Ryan, who chose not
Federal NDP Leader Thomas Mulcair also
to run for another term after serving as president
spoke at the convention and made the commit-
since 2009.
ment to delegates that bringing forward national
“To be a strong labour movement, everyone
anti-scab legislation will be his first priority.
• Advancing equity throughout our
communities.
Building Our Movement
• Building on the success of the Ontario Common Front and dedicating resources to our
community efforts
• Embracing digital activism to grow our online footprint.
Mobilizing Our Members
• Mobilizing for a mass labour-community
rally at Queen’s Park in 2016 to demand the
Ontario We Want
• Developing the activists’ capacity through
an official OFL Activist School
• Launching and supporting campaigns that
force progressive ideas into the public conversation and on to the political agenda.
The various labour affiliates that make up the
OFL will work together over the next two years to
implement the elements of the action plan. Mem-
l-r: Ahmad Gaied, UFCW; Chris Buckley, Unifor and
Patty Coates, District 17, Simcoe EA/DECE Bargaining Unit President
Photo credit: Peter Boyle (Ontario Federation of Labour)
bers can find the full OFL Action Plan on their
website at www.ofl.ca.
Update 2015–2016
• VOL . 4 3 N O. 3 3
Editorial
A wolf in
sheep’s
clothing?
S
ince the 1995 election that saw Mike
Harris become Premier of Ontario, it has come to be seen as the
norm for the Ontario Progressive
Party to be anti-worker and anti-
union. Harris’ successors, in one way or another,
were unable to shake that mantle from the stewardship of their party. While some may have tried
to downplay it, others like Tim Hudak, relished it
and proposed even more harsh policies such as
right-to-work legislation and 100,000 public sector
job cuts.
After Hudak’s two election defeats on antiunion, anti-worker agendas in 2011 and 2014,
many in the party heralded the election of new
leader, Patrick Brown, as a new face that could
shed the party of that image. Despite the fact that
cused the education unions of funneling the reim-
agenda, any political action on the part of those
Brown voted in favour of two anti-union bills—Bill
bursement back into anti-Tory political action. The
who oppose that agenda is considered nefarious.
C-377 and Bill C-525—as a federal Conservative
participation of education unions—or any union—
The Tories cannot intimidate unions; they
MP under the leadership of Stephen Harper, his
in political action is a constitutional right. But to the
cannot remove unions' fundamental rights
supporters continued to insist that he was not anti-
Tories, frustrated with successive electoral defeats
and they definitely cannot pretend that they
worker and anti-union.
over their ill-conceived anti-worker and anti-union
have changed.
During his candidacy for the leadership of the
Offering
support
to Syrian
refugees
Ontario Progressive Conservative Party, Brown
would frequently reference that many of his supporters included union members and that one of
his priorities would be to make peace with the
labour movement. He also declared that he believed that previous Conservative leader Tim Hudak’s pledge to cut 100,000 public sector jobs was
wrong, even though he had been present when
from members and Districts, which would then be
match by Provincial Office through the OSSTF/
FEESO Humanity Fund.
Donations through the Humanity Fund were
being accepted through to December 1. OSSTF/
FEESO approved a donation of $5,000 to support
the settlement of Syrian refugees in Canada in
October, which was in addition to another $5,000
vited to their rallies. This led some to believe that
T
in Canada. As a member of the CLC, OSSTF/
ple across Syria, Lebanon and Jordan who have
Brown was truly committed to forging a new rela-
FEESO endorsed a plan to receive donations
been impacted by the Syrian crisis.
Hudak unveiled the policy in his community.
Upon winning the leadership, Brown contacted
numerous union leaders pledging that his leadership would be more co-operative rather than
confrontational. In fact, Brown showed up at a few
events organized by striking workers, and had
contacted other unions to request that he be in-
he Canadian Labour Congress
Members have also been encouraged to
nadian Council on Refugees, has
make donations to local charities that will support
established a special CLC Interna-
Syrian refugee resettlement in their local commu-
tional Assistance Fund to help spon-
nities, or to the OXFAM Syria Emergency Relief
Fund, which has already reached 1.5 million peo-
behind the Mike Harris legacy.
But any such delusions were recently crushed
when Brown attacked unions in the provincial
legislature over the reimbursement of negotiations expenses to public sector education unions.
propriety of reimbursements to OSSTF/FEESO,
OECTA and AEFO for extraordinary costs related
to bargaining under the newly developed two-tier
system imposed by Bill 122, The School Boards
Collective Bargaining Act.
Brown and his caucus hurled multiple accusations at the governing Liberals regarding the
repayments, but the most scandalous of these ac-
• VO L. 43 NO . 3
Istvan Csak / Shutterstock.com
Specifically, Brown and his caucus attacked the
Update 2015–2016
tions High Commissioner for Refugees.
(CLC), in conjunction with the Ca-
sor and support the settlement of Syrian refugees
tionship with workers and unions, and to leaving
4
donation made in May of 2015 to the United Na-
Keep
Talking
CPAC Regionals
November 6–7, 2015
CPAC regional
meetings
On
resources and to network with others to share
ideas and to plan for future events.
This year’s training had a focus on auditing
local communications strategies and how to survey local members about their communications
November 6–7, the
needs. Also, training was provided in lobbying
Communications/Po-
local politicians and decision makers, and how to
litical Action Commit-
get your message across.
tee (CPAC) hosted
regional meetings in
Thunder Bay, Sault Ste. Marie, London, Toron-
CPAC has already begun preparations for
its biennial conference tentatively scheduled for
November 2016 in Toronto.
to and Ottawa. Over 130 members participated in
training on topics related to communications and
political action, and learned about the resources that CPAC and provincial office have to offer.
Local Communications and Political Action
Officers had an opportunity to network with
other representatives and took the opportunity
to plan for events and actions for the 2015/2016
school year. Participants took away a number of
resources to help with planning at the local level.
At each of the regional meetings, participants
took the opportunity to discuss the results of the
recent federal election and talked about how engaged members were in the political process. In
addition, discussions took place about the role of
members in school councils and how to get members involved in community events.
CPAC Regionals are an opportunity for local
Communications and Political Action Officers to
receive training, get information about available
Plus de 400
ans, ça se
fête!
Le
et de notre contribution à l’histoire de la pro-
l’acharnement nécessaires pour faire reconnaître
vince. En fait, plus de 5 000 membres d’OSSTF/
notre identité. Le drapeau franco-ontarien, notre
FEESO œuvrent à l’heure actuelle dans les
symbole identitaire, flotte fièrement au Bureau
écoles francophones de la province. Partout entre
provincial d’OSSTF/FEESO à Toronto. Soyons
Timmins, Hawkesbury et Windsor, les élèves et
fiers de notre langue. Bonne fête mes amis!
les membres du personnel célébraient à leur tour,
en organisant des activités. Bref, ce fut une jour-
25 septembre est recon-
née colorée, enrichissante
nu officiellement comme
et amusante pour tous.
la Journée des Franco-
Rappelons-nous qu’en
Ontariens et des Franco-
2013, Michel Dupuis était
Ontariennes. Encore cette
le conférencier à la pre-
année, nos communautés ont affiché le vert et
mière conférence du Comi-
le blanc : le vert qui représente la couleur de nos
té des services en langue
étés et le blanc, la couleur de nos hivers. La fleur
française (CSLF) d’OSSTF/
de lys représente le peuple Canadien français et
FEESO. Le discours du
la fleur du trille, l’emblème de la province.
co-créateur de notre beau
Cette année, il s’agissait d’une journée de
drapeau nous a aidés à
reconnaissance des 400 ans de notre culture
comprendre le travail et
/Isabelle Cousineau, District 33, Unité 59,
Membre du CSLF.
Update 2015–2016
• VOL . 4 3 N O. 3 5
The PROs of
updating your
CONs
Part 1: The 3 Ps of Anti-Harassment.
N
ote: This is the first installment of a
series of articles created by OSSTF/
FEESO’s Parliamentary and Con-
A
pplications
are
now being accepted for four positions on this year’s news
team at the 2016 Annual
Meeting of the Provincial
Assembly (AMPA). The four-day event
will take place from March 11 to 14 and
members of the team will work throughout the duration of the event to produce
a series of newsletters for the over 500
delegates. These are volunteer positions, however; travel, food and accommodations will be covered.
The positions available are: editor, photographer, English-language reporter, and French-language reporter.
Interested members may forward a letter of application detailing their related
experience to Randy Banderob at
randy.banderob@osstf.ca. The deadline for applications is Friday, January
29, 2016.
stitution Council. These articles are
meant to raise members’ aware-
ness of their local constitutions and the role they
play in our Federation’s democracy.
The importance of establishing an antiharassment policy for Bargaining Units was
brought to the fore at AMPA 2007. Members returned to their units, tasked with creating a policy
and designing an implementation procedure.
How has your District/Bargaining Unit done?
sible for “the establishment of anti-harassment,
anti-bullying and anti-sexual harassment policies
and procedures that are followed for all OSSTF/
FEESO members and employees for both the
office as a workplace and for OSSTF/FEESO
sponsored functions” (Bylaws 18.1.7 and 19.1.12
respectively).
Health
& Safety
conference
On
November 6 and 7,
2015, the Health and
Safety Workplace and
Insurance Act Committee (HSWIAC) held
the first Health and Safety Conference in many
years at the Yorkdale Holiday Inn. Over 100 del-
Please consider the 3Ps below as you create,
egates participated in an exciting agenda and it
review or revise your Anti-Harassment Policy and
was refreshing to see so many new faces attend-
Procedures.
ing the conference.
The Policy
Labour was the guest speaker on the Friday
John Vander Doelen from the Ministry of
• Do you have a policy?
night. He brought greetings on behalf of George
• Is it in accordance with the Provincial Policy
Gritziotis, the Chief Prevention Officer for the
(hint: Bylaw 4)?
province of Ontario. John outlined the significant
changes to the Occupational Health and Safety
The Person
• Who is responsible for upholding your AntiHarassment policy? Is this person knowl-
system that have occurred since 2010. He was
good enough to take time to answer many questions from delegates.
edgeable, approachable, and professional?
On the Saturday of the conference, work-
Does he or she hold the trust of members in
shops were held on ergonomics, indoor air qual-
the District/Bargaining Unit?
ity, workplace violence, WSIB orientation, the
• What training does this individual receive?
fire code, domestic violence, the importance of
reporting and the mental injury toolkit.
The Procedure
Presenters from the Occupational Health Clin-
• How is the Anti-Harassment policy shared
ics for Ontario Workers and the Ontario Public
with members? Do you read the Policy?
Service Union (OPSEU) demonstrated clearly
When? Is it posted for members to see?
that Health and Safety issues are universal is-
• What is the procedure when / if the Anti-Harassment Officer is involved in the harassment accusation?
sues for all workers in every sector.
The committee will be holding regional meetings in May 2016 and will begin to
plan for the next conference in the 2017–2018
Find it!
school year.
Districts and Bargaining Units are respon-
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Update 2015–2016
• VO L. 43 NO . 3
Exclusively serving the
financial needs of education
members for over 40 years
HS/WSIA
Committee
Conference
In solidarity we stand
Update 2015–2016
• VOL . 4 3 N O. 3 7
Time is money!
Get the salary you deserve!
D
espite the initial sale of 15 per cent
More brownouts and blackouts could be in On-
of the Ontario Liberal government’s
tario’s future.
plan to sell 60 per cent of the pub-
The loss of future revenues for the provincial
licly-owned utility Hydro One, com-
treasury could approach $800 million annually.
munity groups, municipalities and
While some may see this as fear-mongering, the
unions have not given up the fight to stop the
newly-appointed Financial Accountability Officer
Hydro One sale to private interests. Many unions,
for Ontario confirms many of these concerns.
including OSSTF/FEESO, are part of a grass-
The partial sell-off of Hydro One will mean a
roots effort, through the keephydropublic.ca web-
permanent loss for Ontarians. There is still time to
site, to encourage their members to contact their
contact your MPP to tell him/her to stop the sale
local MPPs, particularly Liberal MPPs, to voice
of Hydro One now.
The OSSTF/FEESO Certification
Department evaluates teacher
academic/technical credentials and
issues Certification Rating Statements
for salary placement purposes.
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!
their opposition to the sale.
Without the retention of this
Go to the Certification Quick Link at
osstf.on.ca
valuable public asset, it is certain that higher rates, lower
dependability, and an end to
public control over this vital
service will occur. A number
of studies have proven that
electricity rates will climb once
this valuable asset becomes
captive to private interests, particularly to a private monopoly.
rmnoa357 / Shutterstock.com
8
Update 2015–2016 •
CYCLE IN CUBA MARCH BREAK: Fly into Cayo
Coco. Cycle through sugarcane fields, along the foothills of the Escambray Mountains and toward the beach. www.cycleincuba.com 416.417.5360.
EXPERIENCE THE BEST OF ITALY! Join us for this
group tour of Florence, Venice, Assisi, Rome, Sorrento, Pompeii and Capri. September 8-18, 2016. Visit
www.explorica.ca/DiCicco-2016. Contact: karendicicco@
gmail.com.
INDIA & NEPAL: Lifetime adventure. Visit Delhi,
Taj Mahal, Buddha’s birth place and the Himalayas.
1.800.867.2890. info@offthemap.ca.
MOROCCO: Imperial Cities and Sahara Desert.
1.800.867.2890. info@offthemap.ca.
SAIL GREECE IN 2016 on a modern 40’ Beneteau
Oceanis sailboat. Accommodations are for four persons, in two double berth cabins. Cost is 750 euro/
person/week. Included are sailboat costs, skipper, full
breakfast, and a lunch. One day sails are also available when visiting Athens for 70 Euro pp. Booking now.
Email sailgreececanada@yahoo.com.
SUMMER TOUR 2016: JOIN US Sicily and Italy, Canadian Battlefield Tour, August, escorted by experienced military historians and guides 613.539.4660
dave@foftours.com.
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 Audrey Bourque (audrey.bourque@
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.
VO L. 43 NO . 3
Canada Post Corporation
Publication Mail Agreement No.
40012523
?FUNDRAISING? Eco-friendly rain barrel sales require
minimal effort and generate $3,000 per truckload. Instructions, supplies and ongoing support provided. www.
RainBarrel.ca Fundraise@RainBarrel.ca 905.545.5577.
ADVENTURES IN THAILAND, CAMBODIA & VIETNAM:
1.800.867.2890. info@offthemap.ca.
AFRICA—KENYA, TANZANIA & GORILLA TREKKING:
1.800.867.2890. info@offthemap.ca.
AMAZING PERU: Machu Picchu, Lima, Cuzco and Lake
Titicaca. 1.800.867.2890. Email: info@offthemap.ca.
CANADIAN SAFE SCHOOL NETWORK: The 19th
Annual Safe Schools Conference—A Focus on Student Wellness. A conference on student wellness
and mental health (Toronto, ON). For more information and registration: http://canadiansafeschools.com/
events/45/, 416.977.1050.
CANNES APARTMENT FOR RENT. Fully furnished
overlooking Mediterranean and Esterels. Alternative to
Florida—winter or summer. Swimming at sandy beach
in front of building; skiing in the Alps. Explore Côte
d’Azur, Nice, Monaco and Italy by car, bus or train. One
bedroom, living/dining area with sofa bed; fully equipped
kitchen; balcony overlooking the sea. Sleeps four. Ten
minute walk to centre ville, shopping and market. Wi
Fi. Owner email—calou06@hotmail.com, Ontario reference text/phone—519.282.0402.
CLIMB KILIMANJARO: You can do it. 1.800.867.2890.
info@offthemap.ca.
COSTA RICA OR GALAPAGOS: March Break Trips.
1.800.867.2890. info@offthemap.ca.
COUPLES ESCAPE FOR 199.00: includes overnight accommodation in a standard room, 4 course
dinner and full breakfast in the morning. Only one
hour east of Toronto in Port Hope. 1.855.383.3316.
www.carlyleinnandbistro.com.
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of the system is also at stake.
OSSTF/FEESO, 60 Mobile Drive, Toronto, ON M4A 2P3
The dependability and reliability