District Newsletter

Volume 1, Issue 4: February 6, 2003

Police Checks and Offence Declarations

See the print copy distributed to Members at workplaces for this information.

Teachers’ Bargaining Unit Takes Strike Vote

Members of the Teachers’ Bargaining Unit are taking a strike vote on Tuesday February 11 in order to give the table team a mandate to help reach a fair collective agreement.

Working conditions, benefits and salary remain unresolved.

Announcing: Education Matters Online

The Communications / Excellence in Education Committee will be publishing Education Matters, the acclaimed District Magazine in a new form beginning this spring. Instead of producing a print copy of the magazine, we will be publishing it on the District website. In this way, all members will have immediate and consistent access to the magazine, and it will also be a lot less costly.

Just prior to each new issue being added to the website, a flyer will be sent to each branch and workplace announcing the addition of the new issue and highlighting its feature articles.

To begin with, we are aiming for an April launch of the first issue to be followed by a second issue in early June.

Eventually, we hope to have several issues per year. Earlier issues will be archived for the convenience of the members.

TVDSB Awards of Distinction for 2003 Nominations

The Award of Distinction is an annual recognition given by the Thames Valley District School Board to individuals who have made significant contributions at a system or school level.

Nomination forms can be downloaded from the TVDSB website. Completed Nominations Forms must be submitted to the Director’s Office by March 7 at 4:00pm. 

District 11 OSSTF has a representative on the Selection Committee. We encourage all of our members to nominate worthy candidates for this award.

Members at Risk

Because of the intense scrutiny being placed on the behaviour of Teachers and Educational Workers, ALL Members are reminded never to allow themselves to be put in compromising situations with students, to be scrupulous in conducting themselves in a professional manner, and to refrain from touching a student in any manner.

Professional language and behaviour is expected at all times. Teachers, in particular, are held to a higher standard of conduct than are members of the general public.

As difficult as it may be to believe, even a simple, seemingly innocent, touch on the shoulder or hand can result (and has, in fact, resulted) in an accusation of sexual or physical assault. Even though the Member may eventually be cleared, an investigation will occur and in the meantime, the Member’s life will be in turmoil.

OSSTF Membership 101

Bylaw 5.2.1 of the OSSTF Constitution and Regulation 18 under the Teaching Profession Act state the following:

"A member shall,
(a) avoid interfering in an unwarranted manner between other teachers and students;
(b) on making an adverse report on another member, furnish him with a written statement of the report at the earliest possible time and not later than three days after making the report."

In other words, all OSSTF Members should be supportive of one another. As a union, we need to work together for the collective good of the membership and for public education and that means treating each other with respect and consideration.

In fact, the OSSTF Pledge requires this. It says, in part:

As the Teachers’ Bargaining Unit moves into a possible sanction position, all Members must pay particular attention to this ideal and to the OSSTF Motto:

"Let us not take thought for our separate interests, but let us help one another."

Solidarity is important!

Important Teachers' Bargaining Unit Contract Date

Please note the February 15 Deadline for Requests:

Go to the Employee Portal, then click on "Electronic Forms" to access the necessary form.

There will be a new "Transfer to Vacancy" process. Lists of all vacant positions throughout the board will be posted in each secondary workplace and on the Employee Portal. Any qualified teacher may apply for any vacant position. There will be two rounds of internal postings of vacancies prior to the remaining positions being advertised on the ATTN.

Branch Presidents have written details.

RRSP Deposits and Correct HOME Address

TBU Members who will receive an RRSP deposit in February, 2003, will receive an RRSP contribution receipt from OTG Financial Inc. at their home address in March.

Members who change their home address should inform OTG (and this office).

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

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