Don't forget to attend our Ratification Vote scheduled for Wednesday Dec 16th at 4:30 pm here at our office (Map is in the blog directly below). The Tentative Deal will be presented by Ben Andrews our Chief Negotiator at that time.

RETRIED SUPPLY Teachers: 
I just found that OTPP has an available "APP" that one can use to count days worked within the 50 day restriction rule imposed by the Pension Board. 
Go to www.otpp.com to download the APP and keep track of your days worked throughout the year.

Well, after 7 meetings with the SCDSB and a year and a half of working under an expired contract we have an agreement in principle.  To that end we need to have a meeting to ratify that contract. It will be held on Wednesday December 16 here at our Union Office in Barrie (51 King Street; Unit #6) starting at 4:30 pm.

Work has been very slow as mentioned before but should pick up now that our contract teacher compatriots are getting a bit burnt out with Christmas approaching.

Merry Christmas above all.

Jeff Parton

Next week (Dec 1) we'll be going in again to negotiate with the Board.  We've been at it since March and we are getting close to a new collective agreement. 
At such time that we have an accepted deal it will have to be ratified by you, the members.  Once we know that info, the ratification vote will be held at our Union office with plenty of lead time and posted communication.


Some of you have indicated that casual daily work is down this fall.  I've investigated this at Board level and they do agree.  I've found out that more than anything, the lack of Professional Development that is being offered is a large reason for the decreased amount of call outs. The sanctions currently in place by the Teachers' Bargaining Unit have halted most Board sponsored PD.  HR has informed me that PD generates 50% of all call outs.  Things will get better regarding work as soon as new contracts are in place.


That's all for now folks, Merry Christmas,


Jeff Parton


  

Just a quick update on issues folks:

1. Next negotiations meeting date is set for Tuesday December 1st.

2. Daily work is still down as compared to last year.

3. LTO work is down as well, but not as much as casual work.

4. There were a few questions at first regarding the Teachers' Bargaining Unit sanctions, but most of you now understand it's business as usual as we are not under the same contract.

I'll try and update this blog on a weekly basis or sooner if important items crop up. 

Jeff Parton

As most of you are aware from our OTBU emails and listening to conversations in various staff rooms, the Teachers' Bargaining Unit is in a "work to rule" scenario as of today (Thursday Nov. 12).
We, as Occasional Teachers, are not in sanction mode, therefore, nothing has changed.  For PD on Nov 13 LTOs simply proceed to your assigned school and await direction from the Admin as to what is going on in that regards.

Also, LTOs will continue to add comments to report/mid-term cards.  You will not be participating in any "work to rule" situations but please support your TBU compatriots, as they have been stifled at the bargaining table by the Board.

We will continue to update you on this, our new web platform and by group email.

Jeff Parton

Hello members,

Currently, our OTBU negotiations table team is working on a new contract with the Board. A lot of new members do not realize that we have a separate contract from the TBU (Teachers' Bargaining Unit). They are also in negotiations, and have indicated the possibility of impending sanctions. 

We have been informed by Provincial Office that we will not be engaging in these sanctions if they do indeed take place (again, since we are a separate bargaining unit). Therefore, it will remain business as usual for all LTOs and casual OTs at your worksites.

We will keep you updated by mass email once we know more.

Jeff Parton/Chris Petersen 

Welcome back to a new school year and a new D17 OTBU website. I hope work has been plentiful for all the casual occasional workers in our membership, and that you all had an enjoyable Thanksgiving long weekend!