Welcome to the new website for the Algoma Occasional Teachers’ Local! The Algoma Occasional Teachers’ Local is a part of the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO), a unionized organization that represents over 70,000 teachers across the province.
As one of 31 Occasional Teacher Locals in Ontario, the Algoma Occasional Teachers’ Local represents over 260 qualified and certified Elementary Occasional Teachers employed by the Algoma District School Board.
As the bargaining unit for the Elementary Occasional Teachers of Algoma, we are committed to securing and maintaining the best possible working conditions for our members, protecting the rights of all members, and making certain that the conditions of our Collective Agreement are honoured.
On this website you will find a wide variety of useful information, including our Collective Agreement and Local Constitution, recent issues of our Local newsletter, discussions of relevant issues, upcoming Professional Development opportunities, and much much more!
Latest News & Events
Vote for Darlene Mead in the OCT Election
Darlene Mead, Elementary Teacher with the Algoma District School Board, is presently our representative for Northwest Ontario [Part-time/Full-time] on the Ontario College of Teachers (OCT).
She was elected to the Fifth College Council in 2009 with the endorsement of
the Ontario Teachers’ Federation (OTF) and ETFO, and she is presently seeking re-election to the Sixth College Council.
Darlene has been very active at the College, serving as:
- Chair of the Discipline Committee
- Vice-Chair of the Finance Committee
- Member of the Editorial Board
- Upcoming Chair of Accreditation Panel
Voting begins on March 5th and ends on April 10th.
Let’s make sure that our voice continues to be heard at the College of Teachers.
Re-elect Darlene Mead to College Council.
For more Information about Darlene Mead, click here.
How to Vote in the OCT Election
1. Go to www.oct.ca between March 5 and April 10
2. Click on the MEMBERS icon at the top of the screen – this
leads to the Member’s Area
3. Log into your account by entering your registration
number and password
4. *If you do not have an account, choose the CREATE AN
ACCOUNT icon – for this you will need your OCT
registration number and your Social Insurance Number
5. Ballots are personalized to members – vote!
Collective Bargaining Update
You are probably aware of the recent announcements of the Drummond Report, which are going to have huge impacts, in particular, on public sector workers. Education will be the first target, as our collective agreements are up for negotiations in the near future.
On Wednesday, February 15, 2012, ETFO received a memo from the Government of Ontario outlining its timetable for a Provincial Discussion Table (PDT) for settling our collective agreements for this round of bargaining. The Premier stated that there would be provisions in the government’s proposal that our members “would not like”, and it was made very clear that this would be a one-way communication with no opportunity for questions. The highlights of the government’s proposal are outlined below:
Government of Ontario Parameters for the 2012 PDT Discussions – February 22, 2012
The Government of Ontario is tabling the following outline of the parameters which serv-2014 PDT agreements as the basis for the 2012.
Parameter: Term of the Agreements
- Term of 2 years (September 1, 2012 to August 31, 2014)
Parameter: Salary Increases
- 0% salary increases for 2 years (September 1, 2012 to August 31, 2014).
Parameter: Retirement Gratuities and Sick Leave
- Replace retirement gratuities with a short-term sick plan, as follows:
- Freeze banked sick days accumulated as of August 31, 2012 and with future gratuity payout, upon retirement, at the employee’s salary rate in effect as of August 31, 2012.
- Effective September 1, 2012 introduce a short-term sick leave plan which each year, and not carried forward from year-to-year, offers 6 sick days paid at 100% salary and 24 weeks at 66.66% salary.
- Effective September 1, 2012, eliminate all accumulated non-vested sick days.
The following is the latest update from ETFO Provincial:
“We were told that the government was interested in settling these matters before midMarch…ETFO was invited back to discuss this document on March 5 and 6. After much discussion, the Executive has determined not to participate in these talks. We find the tone, and most significantly, the content of the government’s parameters to be offensive to all ETFO members and cannot be a party to what amounts to deep and mean-spirited strips to our collective agreements that would negatively affect every member at every stage of their career.”
We will keep you informed as new information comes forward.
For more information from ETFO Provincial, click on the Links icon and select “Collective Bargaining 2012: Control Your Future”
Occasional Teacher Workshops 2012
All sessions will run from 4:00 – 5:00 pm, and will be held in the Board Room at the Education Centre, unless otherwise indicated.
Note: Registration is required for each workshop. Please register for workshops at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/ADSBOTworkshops2012
Registrants will receive a confirmation email one week prior to the workshop.
March 19
Topic: What’s New?
Facilitator: Kinda Kirby
Note: This workshop will be held in the GM Johnston Rm. at the Education Centre
Workshop Description: Come and learn about the newest resources that are available from the Student Achievement Division of the Ministry of Education.
March 26
Topic: An Overview of Comprehensive Literacy
Facilitator: Allison Corbett
Workshop Description: This workshop will focus on the components of a comprehensive literacy program. It will address a balance of instructional approaches in all four strands of the Language Curriculum.
April 2
Topic: Early Learning Kindergarten Program
Facilitator: Laurie Bouliane
Workshop Description: This workshop will provide an overview of the Full Day Early Learning Kindergarten Program.
