Welcome!
Welcome back! This edition of our weekly email is full of information so please read through to the end and make sure to share this information with any new Members while we update our email lists.
Labour Day 2021 Cavalcade – September 6, 2021 10:00am – 1:00pm
Join the Toronto & York Region Labour Council for the Labour Day 2021 cavalcade as we Rise Up for a Just Recovery.
On Monday, 6 September 2021, the Labour Council will lead a cavalcade of cars and bikes through the streets of Toronto, from Nathan Philips Square to Queen’s Park, and you to be a part of it. Members are encouraged to bike to the event to minimize the environmental impact.
Together, we will mark key locations in labour’s history and show that we are rising up for a just recovery this Labour Day.
Details on this year’s Labour Day celebration will be shared on the Labour Council website soon and will be provided to you when you sign up.
If you wish to join the Labour Day cavalcade, RSVP on the Labour Council website
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, Orange Shirt Day and and Truth and Reconciliation Week
September 30, 2021 is the inaugural National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. The new holiday was proposed in 2015 by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada, which called upon the federal government, in collaboration with Aboriginal peoples, to establish a statutory holiday to honour Survivors of residential schools, their families, and communities, and ensure that public commemoration of the history and legacy of residential schools remains a vital component of the reconciliation process.
OSSTF/FEESO is committed to reconciliation and ensuring that the tragic history and ongoing legacy of residential schools is never forgotten and encourages members to participate and support the following events;
- Truth and Reconciliation Week – September 27–October 1, and
- Orange Shirt Day on September 30.
The National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation is holding a 5-day national online event for students in grades 5-12, their teachers, and education workers from Monday September 27, 2021 – Friday October 1, 2021. The week will include historical workshops, exclusive video content, and activities for students that aim to help everyone learn about the truths of Indigenous treaties, First Nations, Métis and Inuit land claims, and the residential schools system.
This week of engaging educational activities will feature Indigenous storytellers, and videos that will show traditional ceremonies and artistic performances, alongside conversations with Elders and knowledge keepers, Survivors, and children of Survivors of residential schools. For more information, including registration, please visit the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation website.
During Orange Shirt Day, on September 30, 2021, there will also be a special program to commemorate the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. OSSTF/FEESO members are encouraged to acknowledge this day by participating in this event, or another event in your local community. To find out more and to order and to order an Orange Shirt, visit our website.
OSSTF TTBU Branch Executive elections
As we embark on another year of unprecedented times, the role of Branch representation is as important as ever to protect the Membership’s rights and entitlements.
If your Branch has not yet held your Branch Election for the 2021-22 Federation year, your 2020-2021 Branch President should be doing so asap. If you are interested in getting involved, speak to them today. Branch Executive Election Procedures can be found here. Complete and submit the Branch Executive Form once elections are held.
Reminder: District Executive Officer At Large elections
Per the TTBU Constitution, Bylaws and Policies, the election for 3 District Executive Officers-at-Large will take place at the September 23rd, 2021 TTBU Council meeting. Completed nomination forms must be received to the attention of Michelle LeBlanc (mleblanc@osstftoronto.ca) at the OSSTF Toronto Office no later than 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, September 9, 2021. Please be advised that this is NOT a time release position.
Reminder: TTBU Constitution and Steering Committee – Call for Interested Members
The TTBU Constitution and Steering Committee is a Standing Committee of the OSSTF Toronto Teachers Bargaining Unit and is in the process of seeking members to join the Committee. The Terms of Reference can be found in Bylaw 3 of the TTBU Constitution and Bylaws.
This Committee meets monthly on a designated day in the week prior to each Council meeting. Members of this Committee act as Steering and rotate through the position of Chair at the TTBU Council Meetings as well as at the TTBU AGM. Members do not take the position of Chair until they feel ready to do so.
The first TTBU Constitution and Steering Committee meeting of the 2021/22 school year will be held at 4:30 pm on Monday, September 13, 2021 and will include an orientation session.
Please complete the application form and return to the OSSTF Toronto Office by 4:30 pm on Thursday, September 9, 2021 to Michelle LeBlanc (mleblanc@osstftoronto.ca).
Call for Collective Bargaining Committee Members – Deadline is Friday, September 17th at 4:30 PM
The Collective Bargaining Committee (CBC) is a closed committee that remains intact for a complete round of bargaining. Membership shall be limited to a maximum of 15 Members, including at least one representative from an Adult Education Centre, one representative from a Junior High School, the Chief Negotiator and the liaison from the Executive.
If necessary, an election will be held for registered voters at TBU Council on Thursday, September 23rd, 2021
The duties of the CBC are available in the TBU Constitution, Bylaw 3.1.1. A significant portion of of the committee’s work will focus on :
- ascertain the negotiating priorities of the membership through the development, distribution and debriefing of a membership survey and collate and summarize the results of the membership survey;
- provide recommendations to the TTBU Executive regarding negotiating priorities based on the results of the membership survey;
- create a conceptual brief for presentation to the TTBU Executive not later than sixty Days prior to the expiration of the current Collective Agreement;
- Establish a Grievance Appeal Committee
Interested members shall submit their name, worksite and non-TDSB email address to jramirez@osstftoronto.ca no later than Friday, September 17th at 4:30 PM
Executive School Assignments for 2021-2022
With new people in the roles of Executive Officer following a by-election in June, school assignments have been changed for some schools. Please use the contact information on our website to ascertain who the Executive Officer assigned to your school is for the 2021-2022 school year. If you require assistance, please contact this Executive Officer directly.
Timetable Distribution
A reminder that our Collective Agreement states: By the first day of the school year, Teachers in a semestered school shall be provided with a Teacher timetable for the first semester and a Tentative Teacher timetable for the second semester. As the first day of the school year is today, please let your Executive Officer know if you do not have this information by the end of the day.
Submitting Medical Documentation to the TDSB
Members are reminded that when submitting medical documentation to the TDSB to have their doctors complete a Functional Abilities Form. This form was mutually agreed upon by OPSBA and OSSTF to be the medical documentation of record, and is referenced in the collective agreement for this purpose. This documentation should be provided to the TDSB’s Disability Case Administrator (currently on leave) and your Staffing Officer. Principals will receive information they are entitled to via Employee Services.
September 8, 2021 – PA Day
Please note that Teachers requiring religious accommodations on September 8, 2021, can speak directly with their Principal/Vice-Principal to arrange to complete the PD at a later date. Agreement has been reached with the TDSB that a day in lieu of September 8, 2021 will be provided for this purpose.
Support for TTCriders public transit fare campaign
The TTBU Executive proudly continues its advocacy for public transit as a critical component of our civic infrastructure, a means to fight climate change, and a necessary transportation option for education workers and students alike in Toronto. Currently, the TTC is working on a new 5-Year Fare Plan, which may include a “fare-by-distance” provision that would lead to mostly racialized and immigrant Torontonians in the inner suburbs paying more for their public transit. To bolster the advocacy of TTCriders in their push for lower fares and better access to transit for our members, their students and their families, the TTBU Executive has signed a letter of support (with other unions like SEIU, CUPE and ATU), to be presented to the City Councillors on the TTC Board before their September 15, 2021 meeting on fare policy options.
Welcome back to school. You’ve got this!
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