Final Deadline; OT shortage; Teachers' Pension Plan; No First Duty;

 

IT'S URGENT - BILL 115 REMEDY DEADLINE

If you were an Occasional Teacher or permanent Teacher in a public elementary school in 2012-2013 and 2013-2014, you may be eligible for up to $1606 in remedy pay-out, tax free. (Work for multiple Boards during that time period counts for OT eligibility.)

For further details check FAQ's about ETFO's Bill 115 Remedy Award .

NOTE - The deadline to file a Claim or Notice of Objection is September 30/22 at11:59 PM. Objections or claims filed after that time will not be eligible for consideration.

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Shortage of Occasional Teachers - 

TVOT members need to be aware that there is still an OT shortage at the elementary level in TVDSB. 

Therefore the Union requests that you:

- make note whenever you are asked to forfeit the prep period of the Teacher you are replacing (date, assignment, number of minutes). The Local will advocate that members be compensated for these lost periods, provided by the Collective Agreement

- block off on TVARRIS whenever you are not available so that the system is most efficient (there is no penalty blocking out of the system)

- consider expanding your horizons and taking jobs at some of the lovely schools just outside of London's boundaries

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Did you know  - 

Your Pension Plan

Regardless of where  you are in your teaching career, your pension is important as it may become your largest source of retirement income and your largest financial asset

- every year in which you teach more than 10 days, counts as a pensionable year 

- retired members can work until the end of the month in which they exceed the 50 day re-employment limit, without affecting their pension Teaching after retirement

- in 1917 the Teachers of Ontario created a pension plan in which Teachers would pay part of their salary into the plan and the government would match their contributions. This plan was administered by the government (not always favourably for Teachers as investments were usually limited to low-interest government bonds)

- in 1990, Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan (OTPP) was created to allow both parties to oversee administration of the benefits and investments of the plan 

- OTPP has more than $200 billion in assets and owns 100% of Masonville Mall and the Toronto Eaton Centre (Cadillac Fairview)

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No First Duty - 

Unless you have been hired for a long-term assignment, an Occasional Teacher shall not be assigned a supervisory duty prior to the commencement of class on the first morning of an assignment or prior to the commenceent of an afternoon class if it is a half-day assignment. (Article L18.03)

Any request or any agreement to forfeit this protection, is a violation of  the terms negotiated in your Collective Agreement for the benefit of all Occasional Teachers. Do not hesitate to contact the TVOT Local with any questions or concerns in this regard.

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It's About More than Orange Shirts

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Rowan's Law Day Toolkit For Schools

This Toolkit For Schools has been developed to help schools and classrooms recognize Rowan's Law Day and to encourage students to speak up about concussions.

The Toolkit includes:

- information about Rowan Stringer 

- a list of concussion awareness activities for schools

- printable posters

- ready to go social media posts for Facebook and Twitter

- links to additional concussion resources

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2022 - 2023 Pocket Calendars and Fall Newsletter

Important deadlines; LTO Forms; Fifth Disease; TVOT PD Committee; Generation Black Symposium, TBA Columbia Store Invitation; National Tree Day; International Day of Peace

 

DEADLINE Sept., 30/22: If you were a permanent Teacher or Occasional Teacher in the 2012 - 2013 and/or 2013 - 2014 school years, you may be eligible to receive a damage payment as part of ETFO's award in our Bill 115 Remedy Settlement .

Those who are eligible should have received notice from Provincial ETFO in August. If you believe you are eligible and did not receive information or if you have an objection as to your eligibility then you only have until September Bill 115 Remedy Notice of Objection .

If you fail to meet the September 30, 2022, objection deadline, your amount will be considered final, and no dispute will be allowed.  

Payments are not expected to take place until sometime after late spring 2023.

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DEADLINE 4 pm Wednesday: TVOT members only have until 4 PM today, Wed., September 21st to submit Reflection Forms to Staff Development if they wish to receive a half day of pay for completing OCT's Sexual Abuse Prevention Program (SAPP). 

This is a firm deadline for payment.

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- LTOs will be paid the daily casual rate until the school sends in their LTO Form and until the LTO provides the Board with a QECO/Qualifications Rating Statement - Program 5 and proof of any previous teaching experience. QECO statements come from www.qeco.on.ca / 1-800-385-1030 (a printout of your TVDSB pay stub to proves employment). LTOs only have until July 31^st to send these documents to Staffing Officer Jessica Grison Roeder.  

- Daily OTs can earn 2 days of additional pay which counts for all purposes as teaching time, by registering for paid PD in the TVDSB Employee Portal >Conference Session Registrations. Online modules can be completed at your convenience (day, night or weekend), however payment is triggered by submission of a TVDSB Reflection Form, to Staff Development within 3 days of completion.

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Are You Immune to Fifth Disease?

- Check before you are pregnant to see if you are immune.

- LTO absences because of an outbreak of Fifth Disease are deducted from their sick leave

- Schools in TVDSB will post outbreaks of Fifth Disease both in TVARRIS and at the site

- For more information about TVDSB's policy on Fifth Disease go to page 9 of TVDSB Policies and Procedures 

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Your TVOT Local is pleased to announce a return to in-person, after school professional development sessions.

If you would like to share your ideas about relevant PD geared to OTs, then we invite you to be part of our PD Committee. The team meets just a few times after school - dinner is provided and travel costs are compensated. 

Email us at PD Committee 2022 - 2023

Is water damage covered by car insurance?

With floods claiming the top spot for Canada’s most frequent natural hazard, and average annual precipitation increasing nationwide, many Canadian car owners are wondering how far their coverage extends when it comes to protecting their vehicles from water damage.

Whether or not your vehicle is covered for water-related damage depends on your insurance policy and how the damage occurred.

Read more at www.otip.com/article150.

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Dates for TVOT's upcoming Columbia Store Outlet invitation will soon be confirmed so please check back for more information regarding this in the next few weeks. We know these opportunities are always popular!

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It's National Tree Day - 

Click here for Tree Canada information

Daily OT info; ETFO E-newsletter; Benefits for LTOs; In case of an allegation

 

As a Daily OT, did you know:

- You can accept daily assignments beyond your qualifications.

- Morning half-day assignments shall end no later than 20 minutes after the end of instructional time and afternoon assignments shall begin no earlier than 20 minutes before class instructional time.

- Occasional Teachers shall not be assignment supervisory duties prior to the commencement of class on the first morning of an assignment or prior to class on the afternoon on the first day if it is a half-day afternoon assignment.

- The timetable for an Occasional Teacher shall be the same as the timetable for the Teacher they are replacing. This includes prep periods and supervisory duties.

- Prep periods are regarded as paid time so OTs are expected to remain on site. 

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Keep informed - subscribe to ETFO Provincial's e-Newsletter 

 Sign up here

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Benefit Plan for LTOS 

The ETFO ELHT benefits plan provides coverage for LTOs in teaching assignment must be 90-consecutive calendar days or longer 

• Enrolment in the benefits plan is mandatory for 1.0 teacher in an LTO assignment for 90 consecutive days or longer;
• Benefits coverage will begin on the first day of a known 90+ calendar assignment and coverage will cease upon termination of the assignment; and
• Must be one continuous assignment of at least 90 consecutive calendar days (e.g. a 45-day assignment followed by another 45-day assignment will not constitute eligibility).
• Enrollment information will come from OTIP through your TVDSB email.

Part-time Pro-rated Premiums
Occasional Teachers in eligible LTO assignments where the FTE is less than 1.0 and who voluntarily opt into health and/or dental benefits will be required to pay health and dental premiums on a pro-rated basis (e.g. 0.6 FTE would be required to pay 40% of the monthly premium for health and dental; 0.2 FTE would be required to pay 80%, etc.), retroactive to the first day of the eligible LTO assignment.

Combining Permanent and LTO Contracts
LTO eligibility rules may be combined with contract eligibility rules – for example, where a 0.5 permanent teacher also has a 0.5 LTO teaching assignment of 90 consecutive days or longer, the member may combine eligibility and premium share to receive full benefits coverage with no member contribution for the duration of the LTO assignment. Following the completion of the LTO assignment, should the member voluntarily opt to maintain health and/or dental benefits, the member will be responsible for paying 50% of the premiums for health and dental as required by the eligibility rules for part-time permanent employees.

For further details click on ELHT FAQ Page.

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Keeping your contact information up to date with the Board is a condition of employment so be sure you advise TVDSB of any changes via the Employee Portal!

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Did you know that Provincial ETFO has a website dedicated to your occupational health and safety? 

For information on Worker's Rights and your Right to Refuse Work, check out the ETFO Health and Safety site.

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If you are ever contacted regarding an allegation or if you feel unsure about a situation, please contact:

• Your Local ETFO Thames Valley Occasional Teachers' Local at 519-641-3936, or 
• The Provincial ETFO Office at 1-888-838-3836.

ALL OTs/LTOs have a right to Union representation from their OT Office at any meeting which might result in discipline - Never hesitate to call us - it's confidential!

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Securing what matters – 

5 security tips to make your car theft proof

You may be thinking that your new vehicle is already equipped with the latest security features – and that might be the case – but in reality a lot of basic features aren’t deterring criminals from accessing your car. With rising incidents of theft, especially to newer vehicles, have you wondered if your security was compromised? Here are 5 security tips to make your car more secure against theft.

Read more at www.otip.com/article151.

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Bill 115 Remedy Payments; Employee Assistance Provider; Generation Black

 TIME SENSITIVE -

By now, members who are eligible for the Bill 115 Remedy payment (those who taught in the 2012-13 and 2013-14 school years), will have received notification from Provincial ETFO about their entitlements to compensation. For an explanation as to how the payment amount was determined, click on Bill 115 Remedy: ETFO's Frequently Asked Questions .

If you would like to dispute this information, please complete the Notice of Objection  form immediately as government requires all forms be submitte prior to September 30,2022. Forms received after that date will not be reviewed. 

N.B. Given the timelines set out in the settlement, payments to eligible members will not occur any sooner than late spring 2023.

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New Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP) Provider

As of September 1, 2022 Lifeworks will takeover to confidentially support TVDSB Employees and their families. This includes all Occasional Teachers regardless of their assignments. 

A Lifeworks information session is scheduled on Tues., September 20th at 4 PM. For more information, log into the Employee Portal and click on "View My Employee Assistance Program" and follow the steps as provided.  

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TVDSB Hiring Process

Be assured that your Local in no way endorses the Board's current hiring practices including the lottery process for hiring LTOs. 

As your bargaining team prepares for the upcoming round, know that hiring practices will be among our top issues. 

We have heard your comments. We agree with you and we will count on your support!

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Reflections on a New School Year

Summer days are getting shorter, and the evenings are getting cooler. Before you know it, you are at the mall for "back to school shopping” for you and your family, and maybe even for the classroom.

As you prepare for the new school year, you may be thinking and finding ways to re-engage, refresh, and re-imagine what the new school year will bring, and how you can best enhance or support the learning experience for students in your community. Fall is also a good time to take stock of your own personal goals including those that support your health, wellness and financial security.

As members of the Ontario education community, you also have access to exclusive contests, promotions and special offers, including Edvantage--your exclusive savings program. 

Read on to learn more about what OTIP has to offer you at: www.otip.com/article149.

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