Continuing Education Instructors' Bargaining Unit Newsletter:

Volume 1, Issue 1: September 27, 2002

President’s Message

Welcome back after a long, hot summer, and hopefully a restful one.

I would like to take this opportunity to introduce myself as your new President. Our previous President, Sheila Carson, has accepted a position that has taken her out of our bargaining unit. In accordance with our Constitution, if the position of President becomes vacant, the Vice-President assumes the position of President. The appointment of a new Vice-President took place, in accordance with the Constitution, at the Executive meeting on September 23. Congratulations to Linda Huber as she assumes this new position.

This job came as a complete surprise to me on the first day of school. As a result, I have been scrambling just to ensure I’m in the right place at the right time, and doing the things I should be! My primary focus this year is to convince more members to become involved in the bargaining unit and in the district. A bargaining unit is not an island. We need input from the membership.

By now, everyone should be settled well into the first term. Remember, if you are requesting a change of any kind, it must be put in writing to your supervisor. The Union should be copied. It is difficult to be of assistance if we are not aware of the request!

I must also remind you of some "Must Do’s" for September:

1. Check your pay stubs to ensure you were given the raise which took effect on Sept. 1. See Article 22.01 of the collective agreement for details.
2. Check to ensure that you are receiving the correct pay for the correct hours.
3. Check to ensure your deductions, especially your Group Life and Health Insurance, are correct.
4. Check the status of your sick time. This can be done through the Employee Portal on the TVDSB website.

Please feel free to contact any member of the Executive with concerns , suggestions, and ideas. I do realize that some of us are more difficult to reach than others. However, if you leave a message on my voice mail at the District Office (659-6588), I will be sure to get back to you. Our liaison at the District Office is Federation Services Officer Wendy Hirschegger. Wendy has been a monumental help to me, and is already pretty much up-to-date with our contract, so please call her if you need someone right away.

Payroll

The 3 week pay period delay has been revised after many requests! We will now be submitting our time sheets weekly. Please be diligent in doing so in order to simplify things for the payroll department.

Pay Equity

The Pay Equity Committee, consisting of Arnette Gardiner, Debbie Donato, Linda Huber, and myself are once again attempting to solve this on-going problem. We have a new Provincial representative, Lenore Alexander, to review our position. It has been a long and tedious process for those involved. However, we have a meetings scheduled for Sept. 30^th and Nov. 18^th, so I am cautiously optimistic!

Bargaining Unit Committees

We are in need of people to sit on the following bargaining unit committees:

Collective Bargaining: By next spring, I would like to see a survey drafted to go out to the membership for ideas about our next contract. I know our contract doesn’t expire until 2004, but it takes a long time to compile surveys, sort them, draw up drafts , and be ready ahead of time.

Constitution: Our constitution is in need of some revision. David Brown and Doug Pattyson volunteered at the AGM to help with this project. Bev Tindall, the provincial executive assistant assigned to District 11, will be assisting and advising in this task. Bev has taken a copy of our present constitution to review, and will contact this committee when she is ready to meet with them.

Let us not take thought for our separate interests, but let us help one another.
(OSSTF Motto)

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