One important article centers around the limited return of the feature on TVARRIS - "Job Shopping". This is the computer function that shows OTs any available Jobs and enables us to accept assignments via computer. This time around, "Job Shopping" will only be available for Jobs that are entered later in the morning i.e., for filling afternoon jobs of that day. Some questions you may have, are answered in this edition of The Supply Line.
Your PD committee, chaired by Vivek Nath, is planning many offerings for you. Registration is open for the following:
Boutique Style Professional Development: These after school workshops are limited to 15 participants per session. Workshops are held at our OT Offices, 521 Nottinghill Road, Suite 8 in London, from 4:30 PM - 7:30 PM and a light supper will be provided. Register by email to tvotpd@gmail.com . The following are just a few of the workshops planned so be sure to check http://www.etfotvots.com/ regularly for further selections.
1) An Introduction for Beginners to The Daily Five: Fostering Literacy Independence in the Elementary Grades January 17, 2012.
2) Teaching Through Problem Solving Using the 3-Part Lesson (K-6) February 2, 2012
3) An Overview of "Growing Success" February 8, 2012
4) Taking a French Assignment without FSL January 31, 2012
5) Literacy: Effective Writing February 27, 2012
On March 7, 2012, again from 4:30 PM - 7:30 PM, we will be offering another PD event at the Lamplighter. Check our website www.etfotvots for the selection of Math based workshops that will be offered by the Local that evening, then register by email to: tvotpd@gmail.com by 4 PM, March 4, 2012.
Also, mark the following date in your calendar - May 24, 2012, will be our Spring General Meeting at the Best Western Lamplighter Inn. Contact tvotpd@gmail.com to register.
For news about the Local, check us out on TWITTER@etfotvot for emergent news and subscribe to our blog http://www.tvotblogspot.com/ with news each Wednesday. Both these can also be monitored from our Local website http://www.etfotvots.com/
To contact your Local for event registration email the event planner at tvotpd@gmail.com. Please direct all other inquiries to etfotvot@gmail.com.
N.B. We do not use the Board's First Class email system for union business.
On another note, you have likely heard about the current labour situation in London where 425 union members at Electro-Motive Diesel were locked out after rejecting Caterpillar's final offer that would slash worker wages and benefits by 55%. Caterpillar bought this former GM Diesel plant in 2010, milked the benefits of a billion-dollar tax break trumpeted on the plant floor by Prime Minister Stephen Harper, and enjoyed profits of 41 million dollars last year. Through their subsidiaries, Caterpillar has a lengthy history of fighting unions and moving plants to lower-cost jurisdictions; they have just dusted off an abandoned locomotive factory in Muncie, Indiana with jobs paying between $12-15 an hour. It is estimated that the London plant supports about 1,200 supply jobs in the London area.
The Ontario Federation of Labour is organizing a mass rally in London on Saturday, January 21st and ETFO President Sam Hammond, VP James McCormack and several other Executive members plan to attend. We are hoping many of our OT colleagues can join us as well. The rally begins at 11 AM and depending on your interest, OTs could plan to assemble at our office where we can rent a bus and travel together for effect. Alternatively, we could meet at the permanent Teachers offices, though they are just working out the details at their end as well. (Hopefully we will have our new flags at hand too)
Please let us know ASAP if you plan to participate and how many you would be bringing so that we can make the necessary arrangements. We respect how busy everyone is, but this is union-busting behaviour that may be symptomatic of what is to come and we need to take a stand.
Thanks for your consideration.
