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OSSTF District 11- Thames Valley
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District 11 Office |
Education Matters Online
Feature
Volume 3, Issue 3: February 25, 2005
Your Right to Union RepresentationBy Wendy Anes Hirschegger, District President |
As a member of OSSTF, no matter which bargaining unit you belong to, you have the right to union representation at ANY meeting with a principal, supervisor. This right is guaranteed in each of the Collective Agreements that we have with the Thames Valley District School Board:
| Bargaining Unit | Article # | What it says |
| Teachers | 1.4 | The Board further recognizes the right of OSSTF to represent a member at the member’s request at any meeting when the conduct or competence of the member is being considered. The Board or school/worksite administrator shall notify the member of his/her right to Union representation. |
| Con. Ed. Teachers | 1.4 | The Board further recognizes the right of OSSTF to represent a member at the member’s request at any meeting when the conduct or competence of the member is being considered. The Board or school/worksite administrator shall notify the member of his/her right to Union representation. |
| Occasional Teachers | 2.4 | The Board further recognizes the right of OSSTF to represent a member at the member’s request at any meeting when the conduct or competence of the member is being considered. The Board or school/worksite administrator shall notify the member of his/her right to Union representation. |
| Con. Ed. Instructors | 20.01 | The Board recognizes the right of O.S.S.T.F. to represent a member at the member’s request at any meeting when the conduct or competence of the member is being considered. The Board shall notify the member of the right to Federation representation. |
| PSSP | 1.04 | The Board further recognizes the right of OSSTF to represent a member at the member’s request at any meeting when the conduct or competence of the member is being considered. The Board or school/worksite administrator shall notify the member of his/her right to Union representation. |
It is also important to note that it is the Principal's of Supervisor's obligation to inform the member of that right. If the Principal or Supervisor fails to do so, it is grounds for a grievance.
If you are called to a meeting and not informed of your right to representation, and it becomes apparent that the meeting is about your conduct or competence, you have the right to request that the meeting be postponed until you can arrange for Union representation. At that point, contact your Branch President or Workplace Rep, your Bargaining Unit President or the District Office to arrange for someone to accompany you to the meeting.
If you are told that you might want union representation at a meeting, it is advisable to arrange for it. If we are going to defend you properly and determine whether you are being fairly treated or whether the contract is being violated, we must be at all meetings in order to take detailed notes. It is not a good idea to refuse or decline to bring union representation. If the issue heats up later and we have no record of the meeting and of who said what, it is very hard to backtrack and the issue becomes a "he said / she said" situation.
In addition, we can advise you on what to say and do (or what not to say and do) so that you don't inadvertently exacerbate the situation.
Better to err on the side of caution and always take union representation with you when called to a meeting with your Principal or Supervisor.
