Potential Teachers' Pension Plan Vote

Our provincial organization has a bylaw that requires a vote of our OTPP members if we agree to a negotiated settlement around our pension valuation. Quite simply, the valuation formula is based on best guesses about the future economy and the long-term viability of the plan to pay out members as far ahead as 70 years from now.

Any decimal fluctuation in the Real Return Bond Rate greatly affects this projection and the projection is only made once every three years, at which point the future of the plan is either balanced, in surplus, or in deficit. When in deficit, as at January 1, 2008, choices must be made as to how to balance the plan.

The least attractive options to balance the pension include loss of future benefits and increased premiums. The most attractive option is to negotiate what's called a "discount rate" on the valuation formula which can turn a deficit to a balance or even a surplus.

Any such negotiaton includes several bodies including the provincial government and the Ontario Teachers' Federation (OSSTF, ETFO, OECTA, and AEFO). Only OSSTF has a safeguard vote to ensure members have a democratic voice in a negotiated settlement to balance the plan. That said, while we can direct OSSTF representatives how to vote, we do not hold a majority in the discussions.

While we hope it unnecessary, this background is all to help inform you of a potential OSSTF vote regarding a negotiated settlement to balance the plan. As with the horrible timing of a couple of years ago, we are only learning of the possible details of this vote near the end of the school year. The OTF meets during the summer, and wishes to resolve the situation at their meeting. Quite simply, you will largely be informed DIRECTLY FROM OSSTF PROVINCIAL OFFICE.

As per a memo received locally at 4pm on the second last day of our school year: "If you have any questions or concerns with respect to the voting procedure, please contact either Ruth Kirkham or Norm Uhrig at Provincial Office" (1-800-267-7867).

Teachers' Unit - Travelling Outside Ontario this Summer?

Please record the following information and keep it with you if you are travelling out of Ontario during the summer:

Your HWDSB Employee ID - check your paystub

Your Division Number - 102

Your Policy Number - 136993

Great West Life Phone - 1-800-957-9777 (Canada & US), 1-204-946-1190 (anywhere else)

You should also get in touch with Paul Baldwin, the HWDSB benefits officer for any major incidents that will go through the benefits plan. He can often act as an advocate with Great West Life to get problems cleared up. His number is 905-527-5092 X2666.

Wherever you are travelling this summer, be safe and have fun!

Teachers' Unit - Summer Hours

Please note that once school is out, the District Office is closed for the summer months.

Time-release officers work limited hours in the summer, and our Executive Assistant does not return until the last week of August.

This said, voicemail and email will be checked regularly in order to deal with emergencies. For other inquiries, there are links to our contract and our Benefits Cheat Sheet. Please check this website for any important updates. You can subscribe to an e-mail feed in the left column of this webpage. E-mail addresses are also linked under Unit Executive information on the left.

OCTU 10 month employees

Just a reminder to all 10 month employees, your official last day of work is June 30, 2008. The June 27 and 30 Board designated holidays are for teaching staff only.

Mary Lou

All Units - New Website Feature

On the left side of the page (scroll way down below the Unit and District Executives) you'll now find a simple form to subscribe to the updated content on the District 21 website via an e-mail "feed".

Just enter your e-mail address and respond to the confirmation e-mail when it is sent to you.

We would ask that you please endeavour to use a personal e-mail address and not one from work.

This new function will allow you to keep up-to-date on local OSSTF happenings even if you do not have time to check out the website on a regular basis.

We hope you find this feature useful, and we encourage you to ask other OSSTF members to "get fed" A.S.A.P.!

Teachers Unit - Branch Elections

Hopefully your school has either completed or is well into the planning stages for your branch elections. While it would be great for your school to be able to fill up every committee representative through branch elections, we understand this is not always possible.

If you are a teacher that would like to get involved in OSSTF, this is the time! We have committees that meet as little as two times a year, yet are essential to maintain the services we offer to our teachers across the city. Other committees meet monthly and each fulfills key elements vital to our organization.

Branch Presidents, we would encourage you to get updated lists for 08-09 into the office as soon as possible. We would like to know of any Branch or Deputy Branch President that may not be back at council next year. We would also like to invite any incoming Branch Presidents to June Council.

Even if your lists are incomplete after elections, please fax them to Joanne at the District Office with as much information as you have. You can always update them as people decide to fill in other positions.

Teachers, thank the OSSTF branch representatives in your school for the great job they do on your behalf!