Last week, I received the two attached memos from the college advising me that the Workday system has been either over-deducting, or under-deducting (or possible not deducting) union dues and/or pension contributions for many members. The memos outline the number of full-time faculty impacted. They also state that the number of other than full-time staff impacted is “unknown”.

As pension sponsor, I contacted David Haley, who is a pension trustee, and we contacted CAAT Pension and informed them of the irregularities related to pension contributions.  I have been in touch with Derek Dobson, CEO and plan manager of the pension plan to advise him of the issue as well.

I have also communicated with Smokey Thomas, president of OPSEU, and Nelson Ross Laguna, OPSEU staff representative about the union dues issue. 

These are serious issues for our members. The memos do not address the impact on benefits, or the partial-load registry. I’ve asked the college to clarify the status of these employees, and the college is currently working on the issue.

The Local is engaged with the college, OPSEU and CAAT Pension in resolving these issues. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the union office at extension #7716.

Pat Kennedy,

President, Local 415

Sisters and brothers

Due to a voter irregularity at the Perth campus, that campus will have to re run its election as I am unable to determine a successful candidate. We had at least one person believed to be a member vote who was not eligible. After I checked their status with the college, the college confirmed the error and stated there are more. I will reschedule the Perth campus steward election soon. I am waiting for the college to finish their investigation into the matter. 

Because of this delay the officers election on December 11th will have to be cancelled and run in the new year. 

I apologize for the delay in this messaging as I am currently on vacation.

In solidarity

Nelson Ross Laguna

Staff Representative

Ontario Public Service Employees Union 

Ottawa On

Office 18002687376 ext 5445

Cell 6133244174

As a follow up to my previous e-mail regarding outsourcing, the attached memorandum was sent to me last week. It now appears that a seventh college has jumped on board.

Outsourcing, the change to the funding model, and the moving of apprenticeship to the Ministry of Labour were all discussed on the most recent CAAT Academic Divisional meeting and were given high priority moving forward.

I will keep providing you with updates and new information as it becomes available.

attachment PCPPP

Pat Kennedy,

President, Local 415

From Nelson Ross Laguna, OPSEU Staff Rep for Region 4, for immediate distribution… 

Subject: Local 415 Election: Election for local stewards – Ottawa Campus Results

Hello sisters and brothers

 I would like to thank all of the members for participating in the November 20, 2019 election.

 Ottawa Campus

The following 42 members were elected as Stewards:

• Ala’ Qadi
• Annette Bouzi
• Bill Roberts
• Carmen Hust
• Carolyn Côté
• Carolyn MacIsaac
• Chinedu Mba
• Colette Garvin
• Dan Anderson
• David Haley
• Don Moen
• Elizabeth Von Moos
• Enrico Defrancesco
• Howard Kravitz
• Jérôme Mizon
• John Cloutier
• John Cochrane
• Jordan Berard
• JP Lamarche
• Judy Puritt
• Ken Hill
• Landyn Blais
• Leslie Wyman
• Lisa Roots
• Louise Boudreault
• Maria Taylor
• Mark Stevens
• Martin Lee
• Michael Nauth
• Pat Kennedy
• Patsy Pyke
• Rebecca Wakelin
• Richard Hagemeyer
• Richard McParland
• Saif Terai
• Scott Fewer
• Sean Edwards
• Sharleen Conrad-Beatty
• Sharon Lightfoot
• Stephen Murphy
• Steve Neumann
• Tracy Henderson

In solidarity,

Nelson Ross Laguna

Staff Representative

Ontario Public Service Employees Union

Ottawa, On

18447651416 ext 5445

From Nelson Ross Laguna, OPSEU Staff Rep for Region 4, for immediate distribution… 

OPSEU Local 415 Election of Stewards – Final Reminder and Voting Procedures

Perth Campus

As previously communicated, there will be an election for one (1) steward position at the Perth Campus:

Date: Wednesday, November 20, 2019

Place/Time: Room 114, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Ottawa Campus

Additionally, there will be an election for 42 steward position at the Ottawa Campus:

Date: Wednesday, November 20, 2019

Place/Time: Union Faculty Office, C215B, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Voting Procedures – Perth and Ottawa

In order to validate this requirement, the most current membership list will be used. Please note that for Partial Load employees or anyone not appearing on the list, you will be asked for pay stub information. As such, it is advisable for you to bring a pay stub from the last 6 months showing the payment of union dues.

The pay stub, which can be acquired through Workday, must include the members name and dues deduction; however, the rest can remain private if the member chooses. If a member does not show proof of dues, their ballot will be segregated until their union membership status can be confirmed.

OPSEU membership forms will also be available in the voting room.

Nelson Ross Laguna

OPSEU Region 4 Rep and

Electoral Officer for Local 415

From Nelson Ross Laguna, OPSEU Staff Rep for Region 4, for immediate distribution… 

OPSEU Local 415 Election of Stewards – Update

Perth Campus (updated to include Room/Voting Times)

As previously communicated, there will be an election for one (1) steward position at the Perth Campus:

Date: Wednesday, November 20, 2019

Place/Time: Room 114, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Ottawa Campus

Additionally, there will be an election for 42 steward position at the Ottawa Campus:

Date: Wednesday, November 20, 2019

Place/Time: Union Faculty Office, C215B, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Note that the following members were initially nominees; however, they have since withdrawn their nominations:

·         Jeremy Anderson

·         Judy Flieler

·         Michele Zanetti

Nelson Ross Laguna

OPSEU Region 4 Rep and

Electoral Officer for Local 415

From Nelson Ross Laguna, OPSEU Staff Rep for Region 4, for immediate distribution… 

Subject: Local 415 Election: Election for local stewards

Term of Office: January 1, 2020 to December 31, 2021

Steward nominations for the Local Executive Committee (LEC) closed on November 13, 2019 at 4:00 p.m. with the following results:

Pembroke Campus

As the electoral officer for Local 415, I am pleased to announce the following two people have been acclaimed as stewards for Pembroke:

• Angela Rintoul
• Shawn Pentecost

Perth Campus

Since the number of nominees (2) exceeded the number of positions (1), there will be an election for one (1) steward position at the Perth Campus:

Date: Wednesday, November 20, 2019 Place/Time: To be determined

The following members were nominated:

• Michael Bays
• Pat Murphy

Note that should any of the nominees wish to withdraw their nomination prior to the election, they should contact me directly via email (NRossLaguna@opseu.org) to do so.

Ottawa Campus

Since the number of nominees (47) exceeded the number of positions (42), there will be an election for 42 steward position at the Ottawa Campus:

Date: Wednesday, November 20, 2019

Place/Time: Union Faculty Office, C215B, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

The following members were nominated:

• Ala’ Qadi
• Annette Bouzi
• Bill Roberts
• Carman Hust
• Carolyn Côté
• Carolyn MacIsaac
• Chinedu Mba
• Colette Garvin
• Dan Anderson
• David Haley
• Don Moen
• Elizabeth Von Moos
• Enrico Defrancesco
• Howard Kravitz
• Jeremy Anderson
• Jerôme Mizon
• John Cloutier
• John Cochrane
• Jordan Berard
• JP Lamarche
• Judy Flieler
• Judy Puritt
• Ken Hill
• Landyn Blais
• Leslie Wyman
• Lisa Roots
• Louise Boudreault
• Maria Taylor
• Mark Stevens
• Martin Lee
• Melissa Spears
• Michael Nauth
• Michele Zanetti
• Pat Kennedy
• Patsy Pyke
• Rebecca Wakelin
• Richard Hagemeyer
• Richard McParland
• Saif Terai
• Scott Fewer
• Sean Edwards
• Sharleen Conrad-Beatty
• Sharon Lightfoot
• Stephanie Dovigi
• Stephen Murphy
• Steve Neumann
• Tracy Henderson

Note that should any of the nominees wish to withdraw their nomination prior to the election, they should contact me directly via email (NRossLaguna@opseu.org) to do so.

Nelson Ross Laguna

OPSEU Region 4 Rep and

Electoral Officer for Local 415

The Ford government announced yesterday that it will give the green light to colleges to partner with third party providers to possibly outsource work done by faculty. You’ll note in the news release (link below) that 6 colleges have already partnered with private institutions to deliver programs leading to an Ontario college credential in Canada. This is the opposite of the Wynne government’s stance that training should stay in the public college system.

Outsourcing continues to be a concern for CAAT-A division.

https://news.ontario.ca/maesd/en/2019/11/ontario-supports-innovative-college-partnerships.html?utm_source=digest&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=p

The link to the following video, originally put out by the CAAT-A Bargaining Team during the last round of bargaining is still very applicable.

Pat Kennedy

President, Local 415

From Nelson Ross Laguna, OPSEU Staff Rep for Region 4, for immediate distribution… 

Subject: Local 415 Election

Term of Office: January 1, 2020 to December 31, 2021

Steward Nominations close November 13, 2019 4:00PM.

Union elections are held in two stages. First is the election of stewards who are nominated and elected by members of their campus location. The elected stewards constitute the Local Executive Committee (LEC).

The second stage is the election of officers: President, First Vice President, Second Vice President, Chief Steward, Secretary and Treasurer. To be eligible for nomination as an officer, one must have been elected as a steward.

The number of stewards is determined by the number of union members on each campus:

Pembroke: 2

Perth: 1

Woodroffe: 42

Total: 45

Six Good Reasons to Run for Steward:

1. No experience is necessary and you will learn a great deal. Your learning will be supported by experienced members on the Local Executive, to whom you can refer any questions or problems.

2. It is not a major time commitment – minimally, one two-hour meeting per month and availability to answer or refer your colleagues’ questions. Beyond that, your level of involvement is up to you.

3. You will be actively involved in local decision-making.

4. It is informative: at our monthly meetings, you will find out from other stewards what is going on in other parts of the college.

5. You will earn the gratitude of your departmental colleagues who may come to you for assistance.

6. You will assist in building a strong organization to advocate for faculty.

Nominations must be sent to the Faculty Union Office in C215B by Wednesday, November 13, 2019, 4:00 PM.

I, nominate _____________________________________ (Name of Nominee) to serve as steward for

____________________________________________, (Name of Campus) until December 2021. Signature

of Nominator: __________________________________

 I, _____________________________________ accept the nomination (Signature of Nominee)

On the eve of the federal election the Ford government changed responsibilities for three cabinet ministers.

It appears that apprenticeship training will now be in a different ministry, which may have an effect on our full-time and partial load teachers.

I expressed concerns about changes to the apprenticeship area at our May annual general meeting.

Various Trade Locals have developed large training facilities across the province.

I’ve contacted Claude Brulé regarding my concerns, but I’ve have not had a response yet.

We’ll continue to monitor this to see what this actually means with respect to our members.

You will find the article attached.

 Pat Kennedy

OPSEU Local 415 President