All Teachers - Important Vote Next Week

IMPORTANT INFORMATION REGARDING VOTE TO RETURN TO A PROVINCIAL DISCUSSION TABLE (PDT)

Our Provincial Executive has directed all Teacher/Occasional Teacher bargaining units to vote on whether or not they wish to have OSSTF Provincial Executive enter into Provincial Negotiations with the Ontario Government. All members who are members of the Teachers’ Bargaining Unit are eligible to vote. This includes all long and short-term Occasional Teachers. This vote will take place on Thursday, November 6, 2008.

Your school will receive a package including letters for each member and ballots for the vote. Read the enclosed letter well in advance of the vote so that you are able to consider the issues involved and ask any questions you may have. Occasional Teachers will have been mailed their letters individually.

Your Branch Executive should arrange to have the voting poll open during all lunch periods on November 6, 2008. Teachers may vote during any unassigned time so your Branch Executive may also wish to keep the poll open during the morning periods but this is optional.

Members are on leave should vote at your school. Other members who work at Community Facilities, other HWDSB sites, or Alternative Education sites may vote at the closest secondary school. Results of the vote will be shared with Branch Presidents at our Branch Training the following day.

NOTE:
1) All eligible Long-Term and Short-Term Occasional Teachers who are currently on assignment at a school on the day of the vote may cast their ballot at their school/site. Those who are not currently on assignment may vote at the OSSTF District 21 Office.
2) Teacher Bargaining Unit members working at the Education Centre will vote at Sir John A. Macdonald between 8:30 am and 1:00 pm.
3) Teacher Bargaining Unit members working at the James Street Alternative Education Centre will vote at the Alternative Education Centre.
4) Teacher Bargaining Unit members working at Crestwood will vote at Crestwood.
5)Teacher Bargaining Unit members working at the Detention Centre will vote at the Detention Centre.
6) Teacher Bargaining Unit members working at a Community Facility other than the Detention Center should vote at the nearest secondary school or the District 21 office.
7) Continuing Education Teachers who do not teach regular day school must vote at the District 21 Office, 1423 Upper Ottawa St. Unit 2 between 8:30 am and 3:30 pm.
8) All Teacher Bargaining Unit members working at other HWDSB sites (e.g. Memorial, Maple Lane, etc.) may vote at the closest school or at the District 21 Office.

IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS OR REQUIRE ASSISTANCE, PLEASE DO NOT HESITATE TO CONTACT THE DISTRICT 21 OFFICE AT 905-574-8285.

All Members: Pregnancy/Parental Leave Workshop

The Status of Women Committee is hosting a semester one "Pregnancy and Parental Leaves Workshop" for members of District 21 on Thursday, November 13th at 4:30pm.

The workshop will be presented at the District 21 office (1423 Upper Ottawa Street) and will include a light supper and beverages.

Please call Joanne at 905-574-8285 to confirm participation in advance. Spaces are limited. If you cannot come at the last minute, please let us know so that we can call any people on a waiting list

Teachers & OCTU - Family Film Night

Friday, November 14th, 7pm at the District Office on 1423 Upper Ottawa Street. Please give a quick call to 905-574-8285 to give us an idea of numbers for food and drinks. You are welcome to come even if you don't call in advance... also, if you just enjoy family films, but don't have a family yet.

WHMIS/OD

Just a reminder to all Permanent Members to complete your WHMIS/OD by tomorrow - Friday, October 24, 2008.

Occasional Staff - All Job Classes

Please note that occasional staff members will received their WHMIS payment as follows:

Employees on mid-month will be paid - November 15, 2008

Employees on bi-weekly will be paid - October 30, 2008

Teachers' Unit - TGIF

On October 24th, after what we're sure will be a long week and a tiring PD Day, you're invited out the year's first TGIF @ Frisco's on Upper James. Festivities will start at 3:00pm and go until about 6:00. Talk it up at school and join us for some Fall Friday decompression. Your Branch President will be hanging a couple of fliers to remind you.

Happy Long Weekend

To all members and families of OSSTF District 21:

Have a great long weekend. It's been a busy startup to this school year. You deserve the extra day to relax and recoup.

Start your December break countdowns next Tuesday.

Some sad news

At the OSSTF office, we were saddened to learn of the passing of one of our members: Dave Elliott. After teaching early in his career at Glendale, Dave returned to Hill Park, the high school he graduated from years earlier, to teach math for the remainder of his 25 year career. Always a dedicated teacher and alum of Hill Park, Dave spent much of his time, in recent years, fundraising for various charities including the annual Terry Fox events and regular runs and walks for cancer research.

Having taught with Dave for eight years at Hill Park, his dedication to his subject, his students, and his colleagues was always apparent, even through personal challenges.

We extend our warmest thoughts to Dave's family, friends, and the entire Hill Park community during this difficult time.

WORLD TEACHERS' DAY OCTOBER 5TH

HAPPY WORLD TEACHERS' DAY!

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and the
Education International (EI) jointly sponsor and promote World Teachers’ Day (WTD).
UNESCO inaugurated October 5th as World Teachers’ Day in 1993. WTD represents the
appreciation felt by the world body for the vital role played by teachers in education and in
national development. OSSTF/FEESO has supported World Teachers’ Day for many years with
a number of activities.

The main theme this year is “Teachers Matter.” The shortage of qualified teachers is considered to be one of the greatest obstacles to the provision of the United Nations’ goal of providing universal primary education by 2015. Since 2000, the international community has made solid progress toward this goal of “Education for All.” Enrolments have increased dramatically but a staggering 18 million more teachers are needed now if universal education is to be achieved. With this in mind, teachers’ unions throughout the world have focused their demands on increased professional training because – “Teachers Matter.”

Teachers indeed matter in District 21! Our members play a vital role in their schools, worksites, and in the community---and consequently in the lives of students. The celebration of World Teachers' Day acknowledges teachers' commitment to quality education, and the essential role of teachers right around the globe.

PENSION VOTE RESULTS

PENSION VOTE FOLLOW-UP

In Hamilton, District 21: 94% of our members voted that they did not endorse the the joint Government-OTF proposal to address the OTPP funding deficit.

Province-wide: 76.3% of our members voted in favour of endorsing the joint Government-OTF proposal to address the OTPP funding deficit. This gave a mandate to our 10 OTF Governors to endorse the plan.

On Monday, September 29th, the OTF Executive voted in favour of the joint Government-OTF Proposal.

We wish to thank our Branch Presidents and our members for ensuring that the majority of our members voted and made an informed choice.