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OSSTF: Who We Are |
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Click on any of the headings below to go to
the resources provided.
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Organizational StructureMembers of OSSTF are part of a well-organized union of teachers and educational workers. The provincial OSSTF is divided into Districts which correspond with the school boards, and each District is made up of bargaining units. Teachers' bargaining units are subdivided into branches or worksites which are the high schools within the District. Each level interacts with each other and with the members according to the Constitution and Bylaws of the OSSTF.
Here are links to sources of information about the OSSTF from the provincial website:
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What does OSSTF do for its members?StrengthThe strength of OSSTF is well known by the public. OSSTF commands respect in all areas: collective bargaining, professional development, educational research and political action. OSSTF members include thousands of educational employees who assist teachers as part of an educational team. When the OSSTF president speaks, whether provincially or locally the community listens. DemocracyOSSTF prides itself on its democratic traditions. OSSTF was founded as an educational union in 1919, when a courageous group of men and women banded together to try to achieve equal pay for equal work and other basic rights for teachers. Since then, our nearly 50,000 members have become active voices at the school level, at the district level and at the provincial level. We believe in and practise grass roots control, with expert advice available whenever members ask for it. ProtectionTeachers and educational workers are protected by a strong collective agreement, actively enforced through grievances whenever necessary. OSSTF collective agreements guarantee that you will be treated fairly by your employer, including negotiated protections setting out how you will be evaluated, your salary and benefits, and all-important workload provisions which protect learning conditions for all secondary students. Whenever members need help, OSSTF is there with advice and assistance. For an interesting perspective on why unions are important and how they protect their members, check out this article: "Teacher unprotected in Georgia" from the British Columbia Teachers' Federation's online newsmagazine. ProfessionalismDecades of OSSTF research and training have produced a body of publications second to none. The OSSTF Resource Books assist thousands each year and are particularly appreciated as a source of ideas and strategies for new teachers. Each year, OSSTF sponsors training workshops and conferences and organizes hundreds of local PD workshops. The provincial office maintains a Research Library which provides reference and research services for members of the Federation. It specializes in materials about educational and labour issues, especially those that are of interest to secondary educators in Ontario. In addition, the Library maintains a collection of legislative materials for Ontario including Acts, Regulations and Bills. Over 8,000 requests for information are answered each year. The majority of the reference questions are from members, district offices, the Provincial Executive, and staff at the provincial office. How much does it cost?It is difficult to put a price on protection and security. It is impossible to put a price on respect. OSSTF membership costs 1.30% of earnings. There is no better deal around. What does my Federation do for me?As an OSSTF member, you will have ready access to a wide range of services. The District provides support with:
The Provincial level provides:
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Rules, Rights and Responsibilities of OSSTF MembershipRules of MembershipUnder the OSSTF Constitution, there are different categories of members:
RightsOSSTF members have all of the democratic and human rights of Canadian citizens and union members. Some key professional rights featured in the OSSTF constitution include:
ResponsibilitiesOSSTF members must:
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District 11 OSSTF Home Page | District Information | Bargaining Units | District Committees | District Magazine | Site Map | OSSTF Provincial Office Let us not take thought for our separate
interests, but let us help one another.
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