Association Representatives Minutes
Monday, October 18, 2021
Virtual Zoom Meeting
4:30 p.m.
2. Call to Order: Land Acknowledgment / Prayer / Pledge
Land Acknowledgment
We recognize and deeply appreciate the historic connection of Ontario’s Indigenous peoples, and the contribution that Metis, Inuit, and other Indigenous peoples have made, both in shaping and strengthening our province and our country as a whole. As settlers, this recognition of the contributions and historic importance of Indigenous peoples must also be clearly and overtly connected to our collective commitment to make the promise and the challenge of Truth and Reconciliation real in our communities.
Prayer
Creator God, we praise you, the source of all life. Renew our faith and guide us in our ministry as Catholic teachers. Let us touch the hearts and minds of those with whom we work.
Lord Jesus, share with us your counsel so we may choose knowledge over ignorance, wisdom over waste, peace over injustice, community over isolation and service over domination.
Holy Spirit, nurture our growth. Inspire us to give birth to the creative powers within us. Let us come to the fullness of life promised in the Gospel. Amen.
Pledge
I pledge to work for the goal of Christian Education, which is to co-operate with Divine Grace in forming the true and perfect Christian.
I promise to obey the rules and regulations of the Ontario English Catholic Teachers Association and to fulfill my duties as a member.
- CHAIRPERSON: Amy Brillinger-Tuka
- APPOINTMENT OF STEERING COMMITTEE: Sonja Diniz
- REPORT OF THE SERGEANT-AT-ARMS: Simon Dallimore 64 members present.
4:35
- CONSIDERATION OF AGENDA: Amy Brillinger-Tuka
Motion:
Michelle Evans/ Jeannette Cowen
“That the agenda of the Association Representative’s meeting of
Monday, Oct. 18, 2021 be approved as amended.”
CARRIED
- CONSIDERATION OF MINUTES: Amy Brillinger-Tuka
Minutes of Association Rep Meeting
Motion:
Carol Knight/ David Geraghty
“That the minutes of the Association Representative’s meeting of
Monday, Sept. 27, 2021 be approved.”
CARRIED
Minutes of the Unit Executive Meetings of Oct. 4, 2021 are provided for information purposes.
4:40
- MEMBERS CONCERNS: Amy Brillinger-Tuka
Q: What about earn leave days when you have over 4 days because the forms only allow for three earned days?
A: The form and program only allow three earn days. Three days are the max.
Q: When do we have to use the earned leave days?
A: You have to June 30th of this school year for partially paid days. You have until next year to use unpaid days.
Q: What about completing the concussion protocol whose job is it?
A: The unit will explore this issue and get back to CAR about concussion forms.
Q: What about a person being denied a job because he is not a Catholic?
A: The board will not hire non-Catholics for permanent jobs.
Q: Will there be social distancing protocols? Will masks requirements be enforced? Will staff safety be considered when setting protocols?
A: The president explained that the VP Secondary should be present for a meeting about safety with administration.
Q: What about members who have used their sick days because of having Co-Vid symptoms?
A: The unit did grieve the board and will continue to grieve the board.
Q: Will the board provide vaccinated members to use rapid tests?
A: The board only provides unvaccinated and not declared members the rapid tests.
5:00
8. UNIT EXECUTIVE OFFICERS REPORTS
(i) Report of the Treasurer: Mark Devlin
- Budget update
- Bank Balance
The Treasurer referenced his report. The treasure updated CAR about expenses. Parking signs due to parking issue costs 768 dollars for both signs. Another expense is the 1000 dollars for bursary from recognition. Year to date Recognitions committee have donated $22,000 recognition. Reserve fund motion will be brought to AGM. Support labour council fee 4689 dollars.
5:05
(ii) Report of the President: Patrick Etmanski
- CAR meeting format – virtual vs in-person
- Oral report
The president referenced his report. The president explained that the CAR meeting is hybrid and members can come to the office (25 people) for the meetings. The next meeting is the fall AGM and it will be held virtual.
Motion: Jeannette Cowen/ Marilyn Lajeunesse
“That Aaron Stemmler be named to the position of Counsellor at Large.”
CARRIED
The president discussed the survey from last week that explored the members feelings about the current climate of schools. The Director of Education wanted the unit to collaborate on a teacher’s day email. The unit declined and did not want to be involved. The unit believes that members are not supported by the board. As such, the unit decided to hold a survey to gather data to show the board that their members do not feel supported by the board and to provide suggestions. The unit is not out for the Director’s job but wanted to inform the Director about how teacher feel. The most common response was that members felt unappreciated. The Director believes that members are reacting out of fear because of OECTA.
PPE is another concern. The president wanted to explain that the only PPE that can be used in schools is PPE that is provided by the board. All members need to wear PPE provided by the board.
Vaccination policies are rolling out throughout the province with a focus on mandatory vaccination laws. The unit hope this doesn’t happen but sees the mandating of vaccinations soon.
5:25
(iii) Report of the VP Occasional: Jeannette Cowen
Motion: Jeanette Cowen/ Carol Knight
That Colette Baker be named to the position of Councillor OT.”
Carried
The VP Occasional referenced her report. The VP Occasional explained TSLs: Temporary Supernumerary List. The VP is exploring the responsibilities and benefits of these members. The hope if that HR gets the TSL letters out to the teachers this week. The board has posted 22 jobs in the last 17 days. HR is struggling to fill in these short LTOs. Early retirement and resignation of teachers are impacting the number of teachers available. The resigning teachers have 6 months to explain to the board that they want to be put back as an OT. However, the teacher needs a positive TPA. The retirees are picking up the short LTOs and being paid 530 dollars a day
5:35
(iv) Report of the VP Elementary: Simon Dallimore
The VP Elementary referenced his report. The VP Elementary addressed planning time supervision. A lot of schools do not have FSL and planning time teachers. This year this problem is impacting a lot of schools. The VP Elementary explained the grievance process and how long grievances take. The unit is filing group and individual grievances related to missed planning time.
The VP Elementary also wants to highlight the importance of violent incident reporting and safe schools’ reports. It is important to file these two separate reports.
Q: Can principals do a safety audit of a classroom?
A: Yes, principals can do this but please inform OECTA.
Q: Can extra duties be paid back on the PD day?
A: OECTA does not agree with this stance.
5:45
(v) Report of the VP Secondary: David Geraghty
The VP Secondary referenced his report. Lunch time is a major concern in secondary and the board is looking at alternatives. The Safe Schools reports are important, especially with the lack of support staff. The VP Secondary explained the importance of filing out these reports. Work refusals are an option for members who do not feel safe. However, members need to know the guidelines.
OECTA lunches will happen this year. The board has given the green light to these lunches. The VP Secondary will send out a Google form for staff to pick which sandwich they would like.
5:55
9. COMMITTEE REPORTS: Amy Brillinger-Tuka
- call out for committee members – please sign up.
Chairs First Meeting
Beginning Teachers Heather Poje-Fascinato Sept. 29 4:30
Building Sonia Diniz
Equity Inclusion and Diversity Patrick Etmanski
Finance Mary Diemert
Health & Safety
Human Rights Julyanna Cinti
Legislation Jeannette Cowen
Nominations
Political Advisory Kyle Sutter October 14 4:30
Professional Development
Recognition
Spiritual Aaron Stemmler
Social
Status of Women
Motion: Kyle Sutter/ Marilyn Lajeunesse
“That the chairpersons who have been elected as indicated by underlining above be accepted.”
CARRIED
6:05
10. HEALTH AND SAFETY REPORT: Amy Brillinger-Tuka
The joint health and safety met. The health and safety committee wanted to explain the importance of the internal responsibility system. This system needs to be followed to ensure the safety of all staff. There is a rise in violent incident reports (65 in September). Please contact the health and safety committee if you have any concerns. Chris Stockie is the secondary rep and Dorothea Kruger is the elementary rep.
Q: Who checks in to see if the UV units have been put in correctly?
A: The custodians check these machines. Health and safety will take this up with facilities.
6:10
11. LABOUR COUNCIL REPORT: Aaron Stemmler
Next month a new president will be elected for the Waterloo Labour Council. OECTA needs more delegates for the Waterloo Labour Council
6:15
12. NEW BUSINESS: Amy Brillinger-Tuka
6:20
13. ADJOURNMENT: Amy Brillinger-Tuka
Motion:
“That the meeting be adjourned at 6:02 P.M..”
Next Meeting dates:
Association Representatives Unit Executive
Fall General Meeting
Monday, November 15, 2021 Monday, Nov. 1 , 2021
Virtual Zoom Virtual Zoom
4:30 p.m. 4:30 p.m.