President’s Message

CUrrently Speaking Upper Grand ETFO Occasional Teachers’ Local

Office: 519-837-0090 Cell: 519-217-2704 www.ugot.org

March 2018

Dear Member,

Ÿ As I prepare this newsletter, I am looking forward to March Break and the arrival of the spring season. I have heard from many members who have been suffering various illnesses during the winter. I sincerely hope everyone has recovered

from the cold and/or flu bugs this winter. The Board has implemented a variety of best practices to reduce the spread of germs in the workplace:Ÿ Computers, water fountains and door handles are

wiped down on a regular basis;Ÿ Hand sanitizers are placed in high traffic locations;Ÿ Staff and students are encouraged to wash their

hands with soap on a regular basis.

Included in this newsletter are:· a number of worthwhile articles and bulletins to

read; · highlights of our extension agreement which were

originally submitted by Marina Howlett, your Chief Negotiator, and published in the May 2017 newsletter;

· a flyer with the details of the Annual Meeting, April 21, 2018;

· nomination forms for positions on the Upper Grand ETFO Occasional Teachers' Local Executive and delegates for the ETFO Annual Meeting in Toronto August 13 – 16, 2018

· a description of the various executive positions. Members are encouraged to join the Executive and participate in ETFO's Annual Meeting in Toronto.

We had a great opportunity for paid professional learning earlier this year. As stated in many of our email messages to you, if you complete the on-line training, you may claim a half-day's pay. Also, we are planning three after-school workshops that will help us be better teachers. If you did not attend the paid PD session in September at the Sportsplex in

Fergus and you attend one of these three sessions, you may claim a half-day's pay. More information will be forthcoming.

I hope for continued success and growth in your teaching career. Our local executive is committed to providing you with every possible opportunity for professional growth.I hope you enjoyed a great March Break.

Sincerely,Andrew

Andrew AloeETFO Office Telephone: 519-837-0090

Phone: 519-217-2704

E-mail: andrewaloe.etfo@gmail.com

We are near the end of our two-year term and that means this is an election year. Enclosed is the nomination form to be completed if you are interested in running. The nomination form needs to be returned to the Orchard Park office by April 11, 2018.

What is involved?

Typically, we hold monthly meetings. We skip the January meeting because of weather and the Christmas holiday break. Meetings begin at 4:45 pm and usually run until 6:00 pm. A meal always follows the meeting. You are required to attend the Fall General Meeting and the Local Annual Meeting. In total, there are eleven meetings over the course of the year. We are very flexible and we understand if you cannot attend all the meetings. Mileage is paid to and from the meetings.

As part of the executive, you will hear about issues that

Upper Grand ETFOOccasional Teacher Executive

2018 - 2020

2017-2019 HighlightsExtension Agreement

arise locally and provincially. You will be able to discuss and vote on motions brought forward. You have an opportunity to have your say as we have a round table discussion where each executive member can provide input or ask questions. As an executive member, you will also have many opportunities to get involved in committee work.

You do not need to be an expert; I certainly wasn't and I continue to grow and learn from those before me. What I find the most exhilarating is that I am also learning from our new members. They have provided me with new ideas and perspectives. I am so glad I got involved.

Our Federation has its Annual Meeting in August. This year's Annual Meeting is being held from August 13 - 16, 2018. In our newsletter is the nomination form to attend Annual Meeting as a delegate or an alternate. There are four spots open. According to our constitution, the President and Vice-President have the option of attending. That leaves two spots open for members.

This year's Annual Meeting will be held at the Sheraton Hotel in Toronto. Mileage, hotel costs, and a meal allowance will be paid by ETFO. The Annual Meeting dinner is also something to look forward to, among other social activities. The Annual Meeting is an opportunity to create real change within our Federation. This is the time when we elect our Provincial Executive (two-year term) and debate and vote to accept or reject resolutions submitted by the Locals. It is truly democracy at its best.

Our Local is able to send three delegates and one alternate to Annual Meeting. Please forward your name if you would like to attend as one of these. Delegates will be selected at the UGOT Annual Meeting on April 26, 2018. Please be prepared to make a short one-minute speech prior to the election. We welcome your participation.

ETFO Annual Meeting

While things have changed in terms of electronic communication, teachers are still held to a high standard of professionalism. The teachers' role remains the same, even though the way we communicate with students and parents is very different. It is important to remain professional at all times. Remember that everything which is communicated digitally, whether it be emails, texts, or facebook or twitter posts, is out there permanently and can never be erased.

The Canadian Teachers' Federation has produced an excellent guide called 'Cybertips for Teachers' which I have included in this newsletter. It is worthwhile to take a few minutes to read the excellent tips which it provides when dealing with electronic communication.

The Ontario College of Teachers' Federation has updated their professional advisory, titled 'Maintaining Professionalism – Use of Electronic Communication and Social Media'. It is linked here if you are interested in r e a d i n g m o r e a b o u t t h i s t o p i c :

. https://www.oct.ca/Home/Resources/Advisories/Use%20of20Electronic%20Communication%20and%20Social%20Media

Electronic Communication

The Central Extension Agreement between ETFO and the provincial government was ratified by both parties. An all-member (teachers and occasional teachers) ETFO vote was ratified with an 82% vote to support the extension agreement.

The highlights from this extension agreement include:· Cap on class size for all Kindergarten classes – 30

in 2017-2018 and 29 in 2018-2019· Increased Designated Early Childhood Educators

(DECE) in large kindergarten classes· Grade 4-8 average class size reduced to 24.5 over

the next five years· Additional Special Education teachers and support

staff to be hired· Salary increases for teachers and occasional

teachers (dollar amounts need to be verified by the payroll department):

o Sept. 1, 207 – 1.5% - $237.43o Sept. 1, 2018 – 1.0% - $239.81o Feb. 1, 2019 – 1.0% - $242.21o Aug. 31, 2019 – 0.5% - $243.42

· Additional lump sum (0.5% of earned wages) for the 2016-2017 school year to be paid by November 1, 2017

· Two days paid Professional Learning for occasional teachers, one day in 2017-2018 and one day in 2018-2019

· Health and Safety training for all occasional teachers. A half-day will be paid in 2017-2018 and 2018-2019. The focus will be on intervention, Violent-Incident Training and Reporting Violent Incidents.

Generally speaking, the Upper Grand District School

U. G. ETFO Occasional Teachers’ Local2016-2018

President: Andrew AloeVice President: Marina HowlettTreasurer: Susan TyndallSecretary: Donna HendersonCollective BargainingExecutive Liaison: Barb Walkey

:

Website: www.ugot.org

ETFO Provincial: 1-888-838-3836

Executive Adam LeaderJesse MorrisRalph RainfordJennifer SelfKaren StoddartJeff TurnerGordon Webb

Website (www.ugot.org)

Please visit the website for current information, Professional Development opportunities, an Executive contact list, Executive Meeting Minutes, Currently Speaking (our OT newsletter), and other pertinent information as it becomes available.

We will continue to use email and the website to communicate with members when it is impossible to contact all members by phone or through the mail.

Provincial Executive 2017-2019

DATES TO REMEMBER

President Sam Hammond, Hamilton Wentworth TLFirst V-P Karen Campbell, Elementary Teachers of

TorontoV-P Nancy Lawler, Bluewater TLV-P (Female) Monica Rusnack, Ontario North East TLOTF Table Officer Diane Dewing, Upper Canada OTL

Executive Members:Nathan Core, Waterloo OTLJoy Lachica, Elementary Teachers of TorontoDavid Mastin, Durham TLMario Spagnuolo, Greater Essex TLGreg Weiler, Waterloo TL

Executive Members (Female):Gail Bannister Clark, Peel TLGundi Barbour, Upper Grand TLAdelina Cecchin, Greater Essex TLMary Fowler, Durham TL

O.T. EXECUTIVE MEETINGS

Wed., Oct.11, 2017 Orchard Park Wed., Nov. 08, 2017 Orchard Park Wed., Dec. 13, 2017 Donna Henderson's home Wed., Feb. 14, 2018 Orchard Park Wed., March 07, 2018 Orchard Park Wed., Apr. 11, 2018 Orchard Park Wed., May 23, 2018 Orchard Park Wed., June 20, 2018 Ralph Rainford's home

ETFO REPRESENTATIVE COUNCIL

Oct. 18, 19, 2017 Feb. 07, 08, 2018 May 09, 10, 2018

ETFO ANNUAL MEETING Aug. 13 - 16, 2018

FALL GENERAL MEETING Thurs., Nov. 02, 2017 Elora Community Centre

ANNUAL MEETING Thurs., April 26, 2018 Marden Community Centre

PAY DATES

Oct. 20, 2017 Nov. 03, 2017 Nov. 17, 2017 Dec. 01, 2017 Dec. 15. 2017 Dec. 29, 2017 Jan. 12, 2018 Jan. 26, 2018 Feb. 09, 2018 Feb. 23, 2018 P.A. DAYS

Fri., Oct. 27, 2017 Fri., Nov. 24, 2017 Fri., Jan. 26, 2018 BOARD HOLIDAYS

Christmas Dec. 23, 2017 – Jan.07, 2018Family Day Mon., Feb. 19, 2018Winter Break March 12 - 16, 2018Easter March 30 - Apr. 02, 2018Victoria Day May 21, 2018

Mar. 09, 2018Mar. 23, 2018Apr. 06, 2018Apr. 20, 2018May 04, 2018May 18, 2018June 01, 2018June 15, 2018June 29, 2018July 13, 2018

Fri., Apr. 27, 2018Fri., June 8, 2018Fri., June 29, 2018

2018-2020 NOMINATION FORM

UPPER GRAND ETFO OCCASIONAL TEACHERS' LOCAL EXECUTIVE POSITIONS

❏ President Qualification - To run for this position the Constitution states that you must have one year's Executive experience on a Local of the Federation.

❏ Vice-President

❏ Secretary

❏ Treasurer

❏ Executive Member Six (6) to be elected

Elections will take place at the Annual Meetingto be held at Marden Community Centre

7368 Wellington Rd 30, Exit west from Hwy 6 at Marden on Thursday, April 26, 2018.

The Meeting starts at 4:45 p.m. The Elections will begin at 5:30 p.m.

I declare that I am a member in good standing, and prepared to run for the following position(s) on the 2011-2012 Upper Grand ETFO Occasional Teachers' Local Executive.

I nominate myself for the position of: ____________________________________________

Name of Nominee: (Print) _____________________________________________

Signature of Nominee: _____________________________________________

Nominee's Telephone number: _____________________________________________

The nomination will be seconded at the Annual Meeting.

All candidates must abide by E.T.F.O. membership By Laws before standing for a position on the Local Executive. Please refer to the Constitution for the following articles which pertain to elections: Article VI - Section 1 - Duties of the Executive; Article VII - Section 2 - Duties of the Officers; Article VII - Section 5 - Elections Committee; and Article IX - Elections. Some of this Constitutional information is on the back of this form.

Please return this form by scanning and sending it to Andrew Aloe by email to andrewaloe.etfo@gmail.com or by using the school courier to:

Orchard Park “Attention Occasional Teacher Election's Committee”

by 4:00 p.m. Wednesday, April 11, 2018(that is, 15 days prior to the Annual Meeting)

❏ Collective Bargaining Executive Liaison

The Following Excerpts from the Constitution List Duties and Responsibilities of the Executive Officers

ARTICLE VII - ORGANIZATIONAL DUTIES The Local, its officers and committees, shall carry out their duties and responsibilities in accordance with both the Local and Federation policies, procedures and resolutions passed at the Annual Meeting. Section 1 - Duties of the Executive The Executive shall: 7.1.1 uphold the Constitution, bylaws and policies of the

Elementary Teachers' Federation of Ontario. 7.1.2 execute the business of the Local in accordance with the

Constitution and the decisions of the general meetings of the Local.

7.1.3 hold at least six (6) regular Executive Meetings per school year and a Local Annual Meeting.

7.1.4 attend meetings regularly. 7.1.5 hold an Executive Meeting at the call of the President. 7.1.6 receive a financial report at each Executive Meeting. 7.1.7 forward to the Federation by September 30 of each year

the annual audited financial statement. 7.1.8 forward to the Federation each year the annual report of

the Local. 7.1.9 recommend committee membership to the general

meeting. 7.1.10 appoint and develop terms of reference for standing and

ad hoc committees, if and when established. 7.1.11 establish by April 1, an Elections Committee consisting of

the Past-President or Executive Designate, the Vice-President and one other member.

7.1.12 appoint three (3) signing officers of the Local. 7.1.13 appoint when necessary, a successor to complete any

unexpired term of an elected or appointed Local representative.

7.1.14 recommend the appointment of the auditors to the Annual Meeting.

7.1.15 develop an investment policy. 7.1.16 develop an annual budget, including release days, for

presentation to the Local Annual Meeting. 7.1.17 assign other duties to the President, as required. Section 2 - Duties of Officers: 7.2.1 The duties of the President shall be: a) to abide by the Constitution and bylaws of the Local and

the ETFO; b) to call and chair meetings of the Executive and Local; c) to set the agenda for Executive, General, and Annual

Meetings; d) to be the official spokesperson for the Local e) to act as an ex-officio member of all committees; f) to act as one of the signing officers for the Local; g) to ensure representation at the ETFO Annual Meeting; h) to inform and advise members on issues affecting the

Local and its members; i) to ensure Executive Committees report regularly to

Executive and Annual Meetings; j) to report steps to be taken transferring responsibilities to

the incoming president at the last Local Executive Meeting for which s/he is responsible;

k) to inform, share information, discuss issues and include the Vice-President in decision- making in all aspects of the Local;

l) to serve as the Grievance Officer and to make grievance

decisions by filing personal/policy grievances and hearing appeals;

m) to maintain accurate records of correspondence received by and sent on behalf of the Local;

n) to prepare an annual budget, in co-operation with the Executive.

7.2.2 The duties of the Vice-President shall be: a) to assume the Presidential duties upon request of or in

the absence of the President; b) to act as a member of the Elections Committee; c) to act as one of the signing officers; d) to assume the office of President until a successor is

elected, in the event that the position becomes vacant between Annual Meetings

e) to prepare an annual budget, in co-operation with the Executive;

f) to assume any other duties as requested by the Executive or the President.

7.2.3 The duties of the Treasurer shall be: a) to keep accurate and detailed financial records of the

Local based on the Local fiscal year, July 1 to June 30. b) to act as one of the signing officers; c) to make a financial report to each Executive, General, and

Annual Meeting of the Local; d) to make and maintain investments upon instruction of the

Executive; e) to report investments during each financial report;

f) to ensure the audit is completed by an independent chartered accountant;

g) to forward the annual audited financial statement of the Local to the provincial office of the Federation by September 30;

h) to prepare an annual budget, in co-operation with the Executive;

i) to maintain a separate bank account for the funds belonging to the Local.

7.2.4 The duties of the Secretary shall be: a) to maintain accurate records of all meetings of the Local; b) to maintain accurate records of correspondence received

by and sent on behalf of the Local; c) to prepare and circulate minutes of Executive, General

and Annual Meetings; d) to forward the annual report of the Local to the provincial

office of the Federation by June; e) to keep on file an updated copy of the Local Constitution

and notify the membership in writing before the Local Annual Meeting of any proposed amendments to the Constitution;

f) to compile motions that must be kept in the Local office and passed on to future secretaries;

g) to perform other duties as assigned by the Executive. 7.2.5 The duties of the Executive Members shall be: a) as assigned by the Executive

2018 NOMINATION FORMUPPER GRAND ETFO OCCASIONAL TEACHERS’ LOCAL

ETFO ANNUAL MEETINGDELEGATE

th thThis year’s ETFO Provincial Annual Meeting will be held in Toronto from August 13 to August 16 , 2018.

If you wish to attend as a delegate or as an alternate, you must nominate yourself. You are required to attend the entire conference. Mileage and meals will be provided. It is an exciting opportunity to get involved in Federation and participate in a democratic process that will help shape your Federation. All potential delegates/alternates must be prepared to deliver a one-minute speech prior to the election of delegates and alternates.

Elections for Annual Meeting delegates will take place at the Annual Meetingto be held at Marden Community Centre,

7368 Wellington Rd 30, (exit west from Hwy 6 at Marden), on Thursday, April 26, 2018.

The Meeting starts at 4:45 p.m. Elections for Annual Meeting delegates will take place immediately following the Local Executive Elections.

I declare that I am a member in good standing, and am prepared to run for the position of delegate or alternate for the ETFO Annual Meeting.

I nominate myself for the position of: Delegate

Name of Nominee: (Print) _____________________________________________

Signature of Nominee: _____________________________________________

Nominee’s Phone: _____________________________________________

The nomination will be seconded at the Annual Meeting.

All candidates must abide by ETFO membership By-Laws before standing for a position as delegate to the ETFO Annual Meeting.

Please return this form by scanning and sending it to Andrew Aloe by email to andrewaloe.etfo@gmail.com or by using the school courier to send it to

Orchard Park “Attention Occasional Teacher Election’s Committee”

by 4:00 p.m. Wednesday, April 11, 2018(that is, 15 days prior to the Annual Meeting).

! Budget Update! Committee Reports! UGOT Executive Elections (5:30 pm timed item)! Delegate/Alternate selection to attend ETFO Annual Meeting ! Social Reception ! Dinner (hot turkey dinner, salad, and dessert)

Agenda:

ML EA ETU IN NN GA

Upper Grand ETFO Occasional Teachers’

Marden Community Centre7368 Wellington Rd. (Exit west from Highway 6N at Marden.)

Thursday, April 26, 2018Cost: $10.00 per person

(Subsidized by UGOT Local)

4:45 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Please return to Andrew Aloe (President) by April 20, 2018Orchard Park, Suite B2 by Canada Post5420 Hwy 6 N by Board Courier from each school siteGuelph, ON N1H 6J2

I will attend the Annual Meeting and Dinner. Payment: $10.00 per personName: ____________________________________________ Phone: __________________________

I will only be able to attend the General Meeting.Name: ____________________________________________ Phone: __________________________

I will require a vegetarian meal.

and 2018 - 2020 Executive Elections

Guest Speaker: Karen Campbell, ETFO 1st Vice-President

Door Prizes Ÿ Bring cash to support a local charity.Ÿ Upper Grand OT’s will match member donations.

SCHOOL BOARD INVESTIGATIONS RELATED TO HARASSMENT

COMPLAINTS

Every school board must have a written workplace harassment policy posted and readily accessible to employees. Most school boards post their policies online. School boards are expected, in consultation with joint health and safety committees, to develop a program to implement a workplace harassment policy. A key element of this program is that it must set out how incidents or complaints of workplace harassment will be investigated and dealt with. Normally, such complaints are addressed through an investigation process.

Who Investigates?

The choice of investigator differs from school board to school board and sometimes even differs from complaint to complaint within the same school board. Sometimes, superintendents are assigned to investigate complaints. Sometimes staff from an internal labour relations or human rights office are assigned to investigate. In some instances, school boards will retain a “third party” investigator: this is someone who is not employed by the school board but whom the school board pays to conduct the investigation. Third party investigators often have specific training in carrying out workplace investigations: sometimes they are lawyers or educators. Your school board’s workplace harassment policy may specify who the investigator will be but often this remains within school board discretion.

What is the Process?

If your workplace harassment policy sets out a detailed process through which investigations will be conducted, then that is the process the investigator is likely to follow. A school board that retains an investigator who conducts an investigation in a manner that is inconsistent with the school board’s own policy runs some risk of liability. The parties and any witnesses are typically interviewed. After all information is gathered, the investigator will prepare a report on the witnesses interviewed, the evidence obtained and the conclusions reached about whether and how the policy has been breached. The length of an investigation will depend on a range of factors, including witness availability. We have seen investigations completed in a matter of weeks while others have taken months to complete.

What’s in an Interview? The investigator normally meets with the complainant first and the respondent second. Depending on the nature of the complaint and the number of people involved, these interviews may be brief or may involve multiple days. They may be scheduled at the school, at a school board office or at a different location designated by the investigator.

The investigator decides who, apart from the parties, will be interviewed. It is important that a party to the complaint identify potential witnesses to the investigator early on in the process if they hope that those witnesses will be interviewed as part of the investigation. ETFO recommends that each party to the complaint identify witnesses to the investigator. Sometimes an interview with one witness will lead to other witnesses being identified as well. Investigators will not always decide to interview every witness that a party identifies as relevant: disputes may arise where the investigator has failed to interview relevant witnesses or has demonstrated bias in their selection of witnesses.

The investigator typically decides the order for witness interviews. Once the investigator has completed witness interviews, they will meet with the complainant and respondent separately again to share some of those details and provide them with opportunity to respond to new or additional information shared.

In the interview itself, the investigator may ask a range of questions related to or arising out of the harassment complaint.

Workplace harassment investigations involving many witnesses from a workplace can create a difficult dynamic in the school. It may be clear to staff that several people are being called away from duties and are likely being interviewed by the investigator. There should be no reprisal against someone for participating in such an investigation: any incidents of reprisal should be brought to the attention of ETFO as soon as possible. Persisting in discussion about a workplace investigation can in itself become harassing to the complainant or respondent.

Anyone interviewed in a workplace harassment complaint will be expected to conduct themselves professionally and respect the confidential nature of the investigation process. If you are interviewed, you must be honest about the information you know and you must act in good faith. Lying in a complaint process or engaging in bad faith could lead to job or professional college ramifications. We recommend against engaging in speculation in an interview. Any information shared should be accurate to what the interviewee has seen or heard or otherwise has been a party to.

Can I Have Representation at an Interview?

Anyone who is interviewed as part of a workplace harassment complaint should have the option of involving union representation at the interview. ETFO has often been involved in representing the complainant, respondent and/or witnesses in the course of workplace harassment complaints. Where opposite sides in a complaint process are seeking representation, the leading practice would be that all members involved would have union representation.

It is important that anyone participating in an interview as part of a workplace harassment complaint be prepared. The parties should be made aware of any complaint and response documents. They should have a clear chronology of the events at issue, a list of potential witnesses and bring any relevant documents.

What is the Result of an Investigation?

The investigator will prepare a report at the end of the investigation. That report typically includes the investigator’s review and assessment of the evidence provided through the interview process as well as the investigator’s conclusions about whether the respondent(s) engaged in workplace harassment. If the investigator has concluded that the complainant made the allegations in bad faith, this would also be included in the report.

Whether a school board will share the report with the parties varies between boards. At minimum, however, the complainant employee must be informed of the results of the investigation and any corrective action that has been taken or that will be taken as a result of the investigation.

Whether the investigation and the steps taken in response to the investigation are enough for the board to have satisfied its obligations to the complainant is something that should be reviewed with the ETFO local and/or provincial staff. Similarly, whether the school board has taken legitimate action against a respondent or someone else because of a finding from a workplace harassment complaint should be reviewed with the ETFO local and/or provincial staff.

The fact that a workplace harassment investigation has been conducted about a complaint does not in itself preclude the possibility of a grievance being filed by ETFO or an individual complaint being initiated with the Ontario Human Rights Tribunal.

For more information, please contact Professional Relation Staff at 416-962-3836 or 1-888-838-3836 at the provincial office. PD:SM January 2018 Vol # 97