As usual, the dinner was delicious and guests and members alike enjoyed the warm and celebratory setting to meet and talk with their peers and Local Executive. A highlight of the evening was the actual shredding of the mortgage. Our President Terry Card ran the mortgage document through a shredder in front of all those in attendance. We should all be very proud of this accomplishment, not many Locals can say they own the building they work out of. Congratulations to each and everyone of us!
Thank you to everyone who brought along clothes and toys for donation to Merrymount Children's Centre. Sue Barnes; Program Manager at Merrymount was clearly very grateful on behalf of the children who were going to benefit from these gifts.
We have a Vacancy on the Executive for the position of Executive at Large. This is a wonderful opportunity for interested members to be a part of the decision making and experience first hand, the "ins and outs" of this very professional group. If you or anyone you know is interested in joining the Executive, a Nomination Form can be found and downloaded on our website for submission by December 1st, 2013 at 4:00 PM. Alternatively, forms are available at the office at 521 Nottinghill Road, Suite 8, in London, N6K 4L4.
Please call before stopping by to ensure someone is in the office.
Update on Local's LTO Group Interview Grievance
The Arbitrator had set aside October 11 and November 1 for our case but to get any further dates would take us well into 2014. After spending the better part of both days arguing the case, we needed to come to a resolution so that members could finally get access to posted long-term assignments.
In the end the Board agreed that:
All of the unsuccessful candidates in the top 500 on the seniority list but no more than 80 people shall be individually interviewed by a panel of Principals before December 16th. None of the information from the group interviews will be considered in this process and the Board will act in good faith. Candidates who are successful in this individual interview will be placed on the LTO List according to their seniority.
The Board and the Union haggled about the number but given that: i) there are still a few hundred people on the LTO List, ii) on average only 50 LTOs are posted between January and the end of the school year and iii) the large part seniority plays in hiring LTOs under Regulation 274, the lawyers and the Union felt this was the best resolution we could achieve within the time constraint.
Be assured that the Union will do all it can to ensure a more equitable process for the next round of LTO List interviews in the Spring.
ETFO Awards and Scholarships
The ETFO awards program recognizes distinguished academic achievements, and outstanding contributions to education and the federation by its members and others. Over one hundred thousand dollars is distributed annually to member and community groups through the Awards Program. Occasional Teachers are eligible.
February 1 is the deadline to apply for the following:
Anti-Bias Award; Arts and Culture Award: Children's Literature Award; Curriculum Development Award; Health and Safety Activist Award; Honorary Life Membership; Humanitarian Award for an ETFO Member and for a non-ETFO Member; Member Service and Engagement Award; New Member Award; Outstanding Role Model for Women Award; Rainbow Visions Award; Women Acting in Social Activism on behalf of Women and Children Award; Women who develop Special Projects in Science and Technology Award; Writer's Awards.
For Further information and application forms: visit the ETFO website: www.etfo.ca> About ETFO>Awardsand Scholarships
