Attached are flyers regarding the ISTTP and how to register. With the August 30th deadline fast approaching, please share these with your members once again to ensure all who need the program are able to access it. This is particularly important for new hires who may not have heard about the program. We have also learned that Partial Load members are eligible to take the program so they, too, should be encouraged to register before the 30th.
In solidarity,
Your DivEx Team
Important: You must be enrolled by AUGUST 30, 2019!
This program will end new participant enrolment on August 30, 2019.
Those enrolled in the program prior to Aug. 31, 2019 will be allowed to complete according to established timeframes.
Attached are flyers (in French and English) regarding ISTTP. If you plan on participating in this program, the enrollment deadline is coming up soon.
In solidarity,
Your DivEx Team
General Membership Meeting (GMM)
Tuesday, August 27, 2019
Woodroffe Campus Room A154
with teleconference link to Pembroke Room 339
and Perth Room 119
12:00 – 2:00
** Sandwiches and a beverage will be provided **
In his May 28th memorandum, Claude Brule, SVPA, indicated that faculty would be asked to identify their work assignment preference for the spring/summer 2020 by June 14th, 2019 in order to prepare for the move to a 14 week term model.
The Local recommends that you follow this direction keeping in mind that not all faculty work the traditional fall/winter semesters. For example, if you would rather work the first 7 weeks of the winter semester, and the full 14 weeks of the spring/summer semester, and the full 14 weeks of the fall semester, then you should let your manager know. There are many faculty who take annual leave in the fall or winter semesters.
We are told that Algonquin has adopted the model currently being used at Niagara College. We are also told by the Local at Niagara that the model is a “nightmare” to monitor, and has been a problem since its introduction.
If you are having problems with work assignments or taking your minimum 10 days of PD, please contact the WMG Co-Chair, David Haley, at extension 7716.
If you are having problems taking your vacation, please contact the Local’s Chief Steward, JP Lamarche, at extension 7716.
Pat Kennedy, President
OPSEU Local 415
On another note, further to Pat Kennedy’s comments at the recent GMM and earlier correspondence sent out to you via COMMs, I have attached the “College Faculty 2018-2019 Year in Review” handout that was discussed at the CAAT-A Caucus Meeting. I urge you to review this document, especially the sections regarding Premier Ford’s attacks on the education sector as they will most likely have an impact on the next round of academic bargaining.
David Haley, 1st VP
OPSEU Local 415 Communications Officer
‘Diversity is our strength’: OPSEU endorses Charter of Inclusive Workplaces and Communities
| At OPSEU, we know that diversity is our strength; in our union, our communities and in every single workplace. We know that diversity enriches our society and that meaningful inclusion depends on the eradication of discrimination in all its forms. It’s why I’m proud to announce that OPSEU has endorsed the Charter of Inclusive Workplaces and Communities, which affirms our commitment to stand up for the rights and dignity of everyone. In a world where racism, far-right ideology and white nationalism are on the rise – where Jews, Muslims, immigrants and other equity-seeking groups are threatened with discrimination and increasing violence – we must take a stand against division and fear, and embrace unity and hope. We must encourage all OPSEU members, locals, area councils, equity committees and caucuses to continue to organize against racism, xenophobia, bigotry and discrimination of all kinds. By sharing this Charter with members and allies and posting it in our workplaces we will continue to nurture inclusive workplaces and strengthen our shared commitment to equality, respect, justice and dignity for all. In Solidarity Always, Warren (Smokey) Thomas OPSEU President Charter of Inclusive Workplaces and Communities Discrimination in all its forms, including racism and Islamophobia, anti-Black racism, anti-Indigenous racism, anti-Semitism, and all other forms of racism, xenophobia and bigotry threatens our country’s rich social fabric, including the workplaces of OPSEU members and other workers, and the communities in which we live. Dividing people because of race, religion, ancestry or any other difference that undermines human rights serves only to weaken our unions and our society. By endorsing this Charter, we commit to standing up for the rights and dignity of everyone in order to promote inclusive, just and respectful workplaces and communities; That is why we affirm that: Islamophobia, anti-Black racism, anti-Indigenous racism, anti-Semitism, and all other forms of racism, xenophobia, and bigotry have no place in our workplaces or communities. Discrimination and acts of hate against OPSEU members and others in our communities marginalizes individuals and groups and excludes them from participating fully in our unions, workplaces and communities. The dignity of every member is essential to a healthy and vibrant union and workplace. As a union, we will work with the labour movement, all levels of government, Indigenous peoples, civil society, and communities to develop policies, programs and initiatives to reduce and eliminate racism, hate and bigotry in all its forms. By working together, we can nurture inclusive workplaces and strengthen our shared commitment to OPSEU’s values of equality, respect, justice, and dignity for all. To download a PDF version of the Charter that can be printed and posted in your workplace, please click here. To view Resolution EB1 – the resolution that was carried at OPSEU Convention 2018 to endorse the Charter of Inclusive Workplaces and Communities – click here. |
Following a recent WMG decision, the management WMG Co-Chair issued a memo to all Academic Managers with full-time Faculty advising them that any full-time Faculty who have not completed the mandatory training and who have a SWF until June 16th must have their SWF revised to reflect one complementary hour in a one week period for the SA 16- Sexual Assault/Sexual Violence training module.
As such, if you have not already completed the mandatory training and have a SWF until June 16th, then I recommend that you contact your manager for a revised SWF if you have not already received one that reflects this mandatory training.
David Haley, WMG Co-Chair
OPSEU Local 415
In order to attend the faculty General Membership Meeting on May 14, faculty must be OPSEU members in good standing.
To validate this requirement, the local will be using our most current
membership list, however, in the event of a discrepancy on the list it is
advisable for you to bring a current pay statement (obtained through Workday)
with you to the meeting as proof of Partial Load status. OPSEU membership forms
will also be available at the meeting.
Please note that the college has advised the local that non full time faculty will continue to have access to various college systems until September 8, 2019. As such, if you find yourself currently cut off from college systems, you should advise the local.
In solidarity
Tracy Henderson
Steward, Local 415
1st Alternate, Divisional Executive
Here is more information regarding how unions representing a wide range of Ontario’s public sector workers – from teachers to nurses to hospital janitors – fear that legislation to freeze or limit their wages is on the way.
The Ford government is meeting with the unions for what it describes as “consultation sessions” on reining in public sector pay. One of the proposals floated by the province: capping future wage increases through legislation.
An interesting point in this CBC news article is that it’s far from clear that negotiated pay hikes with public sector unions are to blame for Ontario’s deficit. As the government’s own statistics reveal, the average wage settlements in the public sector have actually been lower than those in the private sector for five years running as illustrated in the Annual Average Wage Increases in Ontario Collective Bargaining table in the article.
Here is a link to the full CBC news article: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/doug-ford-union-negotiation-wage-cap-legislation-1.5126776
—
Pat Kennedy, President
OPSEU Local 415
As a member of the Algonquin College Taskforce for Psychological Health & Safety in the Workplace, I wanted to invite you to register to attend the keynote address at this year’s Kaleidoscope conference on Wednesday May 15th from 9-10 am at our Woodroffe Campus (livestream available). Our speaker is Dr. Bill Howatt, Chief of Research, for The Conference Board of Canada who has over 25 years’ experience in mental health and addictions, and leadership. Dr. Howatt will be speaking on Mastering Mental Health Through Resiliency and Coping Skills.
Please visit the Kaleidoscope website to learn more: https://www.algonquincollege.com/kaleidoscope/keynotes/#howatt
You can register to attend here: https://www.algonquincollege.com/kaleidoscope/registration/
I hope to see you there!
Landyn Blais, Steward
OPSEU Local 415