prdtu.com » Uncategorized http://prdtu.com Prince Rupert District Teachers' Union Thu, 18 Jun 2009 20:51:54 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 Documents online http://prdtu.com/2009/06/18/documents-online/ http://prdtu.com/2009/06/18/documents-online/#comments Thu, 18 Jun 2009 20:51:54 +0000 admin http://prdtu.com/?p=166 We now have the Staff Rep Binder online, as well as our Collective Agreement.

]]> http://prdtu.com/2009/06/18/documents-online/feed/ 0 Minutes from November 15 General meeting http://prdtu.com/2008/11/19/minutes-from-november-15-general-meeting/ http://prdtu.com/2008/11/19/minutes-from-november-15-general-meeting/#comments Wed, 19 Nov 2008 22:31:10 +0000 editor http://prdtu.com/?p=118 Tuesday, November 15, 2008, 6:30 p.m.
Fish Hall

MINUTES

1.  Call to Order 6:50
2.  Adoption of the Agenda:  Moved E. Braid/Chrona, as amended         CARRIED
Adoption of Minutes of September 23, 2008: Moved E. Braid/Fox-Povey  CARRIED

3.  Presentation from BCTF Executive Committee:  Jill McCaffery
Moved Larson/Sawka:  That we move into committee of the whole, and that we     rise and report at the end of Jill’s remarks.                CARRIED
Rising out of committee, it was reported that FSAs were discussed.

4.  REPORTS
a) President (Gaby Bureau):  Discussed the FSA vote on Dec. 9-10, at each school     or the union office; visits will be made to each school to speak about this.      Comments about the idea of offering extra prep time or NIDs to new teachers,     mentioned at Board Meeting; they can’t do this without Bargaining, as it is part of     the Contract.  Working groups on School Closures and on Class Size and     Composition are ongoing; the School Closure group will be presenting to the     Board in December, the other group possibly in February.  New contract is now     ready, new Staff Room binders will be reappearing soon; this is not the 2006-    2011 contract, but an older version.  There have been some changes to Benefits.      Thanks to Nick Adey and Elliott Fox-Povey for the work they have done keeping     us informed during the Municipal Election.

b) Bargaining (Kathy Murphy):  Short comments on Contract and ongoing issues.

c) L.R. (Joanna Larson):  Comments on FSA vote, with information from the RA.

4.  OLD BUSINESS
a) Constitution and By-laws:  Notice of changes was given at the May 2008     General Meeting.  Moved Murphy/Larson, that we adopt the changes     recommended for By-Law 4.14.                     CARRIED
MOVED E. Braid/Elliot, that we adopt new By-law 5.9.        CARRIED
b) Health and Safety: working alone (Tamara Thompson).  Inconsistencies from     school to school, differing interpretations of various rules, etc., so some new     protocols have been issued.  Also a plea for violence reports to be filled in and     submitted, as many are not bothering to file these.

c) Secondary Rep. for Bargaining Committee – Joanne Chrona has volunteered.

5.  NEW BUSINESS
a) Provincial vote – covered above

b) Class size and composition and School closure working groups:  Please feel     free to participate, and fill in the surveys that come around or attend the meetings.
Moved E. Braid/Fox-Povey, that the PRDTU president investigate the possibility     of establishing an elementary segregated program(s) for students with exceptional     disabilities, and report back to the PRDTU Executive.        CARRIED

c) Motion for life-time membership:  Moved Larson/Jong-Bowles, that Susan     Crowley be inducted as a life-time member of the PRDTU.        CARRIED                                             unanimously
Moved Murphy/Konsmo, that the same be extended to Veronica Delorme.
CARRIED unanimously

d) Motion of support for Victoria teachers:  Moved Larson/Fox-Povey, that we     support the Victoria middle school teachers in their struggle for fair prep time.
CARRIED unanimously

e) Increase of administration time: an issue at one school was raised and     discussed.  Moved E. Braid/Larson, that the new .2 position for Math Makes     Sense be referred to the Grievance Committee.        CARRIED
Moved Larson/A.Braid, that we refer all increases in administrative time to the     Grievance Committee.                        CARRIED

6.  ANNOUNCEMENTS
a)  Christmas party December 6th, Highliner.  Tickets will be issued for sale next     week, and non-union members are welcome to purchase them.

7.  Adjournment:  moved E. Braid at 8:35.

]]> http://prdtu.com/2008/11/19/minutes-from-november-15-general-meeting/feed/ 0 IEP Letter http://prdtu.com/2007/10/30/iep-letter/ http://prdtu.com/2007/10/30/iep-letter/#comments Tue, 30 Oct 2007 16:52:13 +0000 editor http://prdtu.com/?p=98   Letters for Teachers with More than 3 Designated Students
A motion was passed at the most recent executive meeting to develop and distribute a letter to teachers to aid them in communicating with parents regarding students with special needs (Please find the attached.)  Teachers in some schools have been directed not to use the letter during meetings, and I am currently discussing this issue with the board office.  The letters may be used outside of these meetings, and some teachers are choosing to simply mail them out.  For a copy of the letter or information regarding this topic, talk to your staff rep. or phone Joanna. 

]]> http://prdtu.com/2007/10/30/iep-letter/feed/ 0 Leave Forms http://prdtu.com/2007/10/30/leave-forms/ http://prdtu.com/2007/10/30/leave-forms/#comments Tue, 30 Oct 2007 16:49:51 +0000 editor http://prdtu.com/?p=97 The new leave forms that the Board Office is requiring employees to use were designed to be as general as possible.  They are to cover all employees in the district, not just teachers.  Therefore, there are items that may or may not be applicable to us, and many of our leaves are not present on the form. The “details” section is specifically there to deal with leaves not listed.  If you are taking a leave that is in our contract, but not listed on the form you would tick the “other” box, and then fill out the clause number. Each site has also been provided with a quick reference to the leaves available to us and the corresponding clause numbers in the contract.  The “details” section is not to share the details of your illness or other matters you deem private.  Requests for further information must follow the clauses below: 

G1.10 Teachers may be required to provide an acceptable medical certificate in relation to any absence due to illness.  Any teacher required to provide such a certificate will be notified in advance, and such notification shall not be given unreasonably G1.11  Notwithstanding paragraph G1.10, a medical certificate may be required for an illness extending beyond three days. 

Supervisors signatures are as required.  They are not required for sick leave.   A regular sick day requires nothing more than your name, and a check beside the G1 box. 

]]> http://prdtu.com/2007/10/30/leave-forms/feed/ 0 BCCT Report http://prdtu.com/2007/06/12/bcct-report/ http://prdtu.com/2007/06/12/bcct-report/#comments Tue, 12 Jun 2007 17:58:39 +0000 admin http://prdtu.com/?p=125 Dear Colleagues,

I am forwarding you my report to Zone 12 for the last meeting of the BC College of Teachers. Of particular note is the College response to the Surrey issue related to their adult educators (found in the Qualifications Committee section of the report).

Richard Walker

Zone 12 rep

BC

College of Teachers, June, 2007 meetingReport to Zone TwelveBy: Richard Walker The June meeting of the College Council were held between June 4 & 7th. Newly elected council members Jerelynn MacNeil and Norm Nichols were welcomed to the College. Outgoing Councilors included Reggi Balabanov, Kit Krieger, Bob Lindsay and Floyd Smith who were lauded for their contributions at the College on behalf of the educators of

British Columbia. Although the newly elected members were attending the meeting, the government has so far failed to announce the replacements for the two departing appointees. The lack of these appointees for the June meeting meant that a special Council meeting had to be scheduled for July 31st in order to hold an election for the position of Chair and Vice Chair of the Council in accordance with timelines stipulated under the Teaching Profession Act. In the meantime, the departing councilors created openings in the Preliminary Investigation Sub-Committee (PISC) and elections for these positions were held at the June meeting. John Grain was elected as a full member and Louise Burgart and Tim Dunford were elected into alternate positions. These councilors will hold their positions only between August 1st and the October meeting of Council when new elections for a full slate on PISC will be held. The Discipline Committee reported that the long-standing backlog in investigations is gradually beginning to abate since the addition of another investigator a few months ago. A by-law was passed that gave the College the authority to compel the production of documents at the investigation stage of misconduct issues. They also passed motions related to improving the ‘Person Complaint’s Process’ as well as passing recommendations regarding College practices related to recruitment and retention of legal counsel.

The Qualifications Committee passed motions that clarified existing bylaw wording regarding acceptable teaching experience as well as wording that would allow in-province applicants for certification the same options for a French Language only restricted certificate which are currently available to out of province applicants. Of significant interest to the adult educators in

Surrey, the Committee recommended a variance in obtaining Letters of Permission (LOP) for ‘adult educators’. The new rule will allow the College Council, upon receipt of an application for a LOP from a School District, to waive the requirement for evidence of internal and external advertising of a position in Adult Education, where the proposed employee has worked for a Board for a specified period and have enrolled in the new two year UBC Secondary Education Diploma Program. This motion will allow adult educators in

Surrey (and potentially elsewhere in BC) the ability to continue to work while obtaining their permanent teaching certification. This is a one time only arrangement as the special UBC program will end in two years. The Teacher Education Committee approved, on an interim basis, the ‘Attainment of Standards’ (ASR) reports from SFU, UBC and UNBC. A meeting between TEC members and the Deans is scheduled for June 18th to discuss some of the challenges that have arisen in the ASR approval process related to a Letter of Understanding signed some time ago between the College and the Deans of Education in BC. The Committee also passed a motion that will expand the scope of a survey the College carries out that polls opinions from recent education program graduates. The survey will now include applicants, members and partner groups.

The Finance Committee made recommendations to use $150 K in unallocated surplus funds to hire further technology staff. These positions were needed to enhance the College’s ability to respond to new mandates arising from legislation as well as help to continue the work the College began last year in up-dating its records management and web redesign. There were further motions that clarified the policies regarding Council member’s expenses

The Communications Committee’s work focused on a proposed advertising policy related to ‘tc’ magazine and the development of an internal process to expedite and coordinate communications initiatives within the College.

The TILMA Committee (Trade, Investment, Labour Mobility Agreement between BC and Alberta) made recommendations that will help College representatives frame their discussions in relation to establishing common certification requirements between

Alberta and BC. These recommendations were formulated after significant consultative opportunities offered to all partner groups. As the recommendations form the basis of what could be viewed as a ‘bargaining’ position at the TILMA talks, the specifics of the recommendations were passed in private session. The Standards Committee set before Council their recommendations for the new set of ‘Standards for Competency and Conduct’. Educators may recall that the first set of written College standards were formulated by the ‘interim council’. The initial standards were always considered a ‘living’ document and revisions were expected. The elected College began a review of the standards three years ago. Part of that review was a discussion forum where all partner groups gave input to the standards. The Standards Committee has been working with this input for a considerable time prior to placing the new draft before the Council.The new draft proposal sets a framework of eight standards, each with an explanatory paragraph. In addition the current proposal will see each standard accompanied by sets of ‘reflective’ questions: one set for practicing educators, one set for those in a supervisory capacity to help assess candidates in teacher education programs and one set for Council members in assessing and judging applicants and members when concerns are raised about fitness and/or competency. The draft of the standards and their descriptive paragraphs, accompanied by: a cover letter, an introduction outlining the purpose and meaning of the standards in practice, a set of definitions and an example set of questions for the first standard have been approved unanimously by Council for distribution to all partner groups. I am hoping that these will be distributed in the coming months and will be available to those interested in examining them. The Council also approved a time frame for further input into the draft before there is any final approval of the new Standards. I believe that the new standards will reflect the broad principles which all educators espouse. I would also like to give credit to Kit Kreiger who chaired the Standards Revision Committee. I think that his leadership was critical to the production of a document that could ultimately be endorsed by every council member. The new Standards could well become Councilor Kreiger’s lasting legacy to

British Columbia’s educational community. The Committee of the Whole brought forward several motions for discussion at the public meeting. One motion that carried was a change to the internal election process for positions within the College Council. A further motion to give ‘voice but no vote’ to elected/appointed council members prior to their taking office was referred back to staff for suggested wording.

The next meeting of the Council will be July 31st for the purpose of electing a Chair and Vice Chair for the coming year. I have let it be known that I will let my name stand. The next regularly scheduled full meeting of the new Council will be at the beginning of October.

]]> http://prdtu.com/2007/06/12/bcct-report/feed/ 0 2007 PRDTU AGM http://prdtu.com/2007/06/05/2007-prdtu-agm/ http://prdtu.com/2007/06/05/2007-prdtu-agm/#comments Tue, 05 Jun 2007 18:00:34 +0000 admin http://prdtu.com/?p=127 Prince Rupert District Teachers’ UnionGENERAL MEETINGSaturday May 26th, 2007CHSS

1. Call to Order at 12:30 with guests and members present.

2 MINUTES of March general Meeting will be adopted in September 2007.

3. Nielsen/MurphyAdoption of the agenda as circulated Carried

4. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONLes Pritchard, on behalf of the PRDTU, presented retired teacher and activist PETER NORTHCOTT with Honorary Life Membership in the PRDTU.

5. OLD BUSINESS

i BCTF/CEP Negotiations: Marty read a report from the BCTF Executive Committee and answered questions.

Scott/Larson“That the PRDTU support the BCTF Executive Committee/Bargaining Team in establishing staff salary and pension compensation packages similar to those of BCTF members. “ Carried

ii Posting/FillingKathy Murphy and Gabriel Bureau reported to the membership on discussions with District 52 management re: school closure and spring staffing

Brookes/Jong-Bowles“That the PRDTU continue with problem-solving discussions, if a local trustee participates.” Carried

Manning/Konzmo“That the PRDTU president send a letter to the trustees of District 52 outlining our concerns with respect to posting/filling; and that the above motion be copied” Carried

6. NEW BUSINESS

i) Marty outlined the ‘options’ available as circulated in an Email from Bill Ford.

Bernhardt (W)/ Bellis

“that option #3 (hard bump) be the PRDTU position for possible school closures in Spring 2007 Carried(no dissent)

Murphy/ Cavin (M)“that the PRDTU seek to have the ‘surplus letters’ rescinded and that postings occur AFTER possible school closures, before a hard bump begins” Carried

Bureau/Strand“that ghe PRDTU president communicate the above motion re: school closures and staffing to trustees of District #52” Defeated7. REPORTS

The treasure’s report was received from Jamie Scott. Scott/Bureau”that we adopt the 2007-2008 budget” (attached) Carried

Scott/Pritchard“that Larry Hope be the auditor for the PRDTU finances for 2007-07 Carried

Scott/Murphy“that there be no change to the PRDTU membership fee for 2007-2008 Carried

8. NOTICE OF MOTION (see attached)

Jamie Scott gave notice that he will move or cause to have moved a motion changing the amounts for the PRDTU bursary for members’ children. This would be circulated to all members in fall 2007 and voted on at our next General Meeting

SOCIAL JUSTICE (see attached)

The report was received as circulated. The final meeting and social will be held on Thursday June 14th , 7:30 at Joanne Chrona’s home 1542 2nd Avenue West.

COLLECTIVE BARGAINING (see attached)

Gabriel Bureau thanked members of the Collective Bargaining Committee.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT (see attached)

Colleen Pudsey reported that the Culture in the Classroom conference was the big effort this year. The unused funds will go into a term deposit to seed the next Regional Conference.

TEACHER ON CALL no report

SOCIAL CONVENOR no report

BULLITEN no report

FIRST NATIONS no report

Les Pritchard thanked PRESIDENT Marty Bowles on behalf of the membership.

LABOUR LIASON Mae Jong-Bowles reported that a Celebration dance will be held at the Fish Hall October 20th to celebrate 50 years of the CLC (Canadian Labour Congress) See attached poster)

9.ELECTIONS Joanna Larson was elected as PRESIDENT

Vice President (position not filled at this time)

Trish Banighen was elected as SECRETARY

Jamie Scott was elected as TREASURER

Joanne Chrona was elected as BULLITEN editor

Nikki Wright was elected as EFAP (Employee and Family Assistance) representative

Gabriel Bureau was elected as COLLECTIVE BARGAINNG chairperson

Marty Bowles was elected as the PRDTU Local representativeJoanna Larson was elected as the PRDTU Alternate L.R.

First Nations (position not filled at this time)

Professional Development (position not filled at this time)

Lois Elliot and Kathy Murphy were elected as SOCIAL JUSTICE co-chairpersons

Lois Eliiot was elected as our MEDICAL PLAN (extended health travel rider)Representative

Mae Jong-Bowles was elected as our LABOUR LIASON representative

Tamara Thomson was elected as the PRDTU Health/Safety Rep (WCB)

Social Convener (position not filled at this time)

David Konzmo was elected as our SUMMER CONFERENCE REP.

The Executive Committee of the PRDTU will consider unfilled positions at their next meeting (on Tuesday June 12th at 3:45)

Bowles/Pritchard“ If school closures occur this summer, the PRDTU President be directed to return to work at the PRDTU office from that date onward. Compensation would be by days in lieu” Carried

Bureau/PudseyIf school closures occur this summer That the PRDTU authorize hiring of a member to be in the office if the President is away at Summer Conference “ Compensation would be by days in lieu or payment. Carried

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Marty reminded members that PRDTU bursaries for members are available.

Nielsen/Crowley

Adjournment” at 2:30

]]> http://prdtu.com/2007/06/05/2007-prdtu-agm/feed/ 0 Category 5+ information http://prdtu.com/2007/05/30/category-5-information/ http://prdtu.com/2007/05/30/category-5-information/#comments Wed, 30 May 2007 16:47:57 +0000 editor http://prdtu.com/?p=33
  • >From:  Jinny Sims, Irene Lanzinger, Susan Lambert
    > Date:  May 18, 2007
    > Re:  Category 5+

    TQS is now ready to accept applications for Category 5+.   They are in the process of revising their policies to accommodate the agreement between the BCTF and BCPSEA on criteria for Category 5+.

    The application form is on the TQS website.  Here are a few additional pieces of information:
    The additional pay for 5+ will be retroactive to April 1, 2006 for teachers who met the criteria before that date.

  • TQS will indicate on the document they issue, the date at which the teacher met the criteria.
  • Boards will then need to pay teachers retroactively.
  • Locals will have to ensure that boards are paying the retroactive pay to members who qualified prior to April 1, 2006.
  • For teachers who meet the qualifications after April 2006 the regular TQS timelines will apply.

    We now use the term 5+ rather that 5+15 or 5+30 because of the confusion between units and credits. The requirement is 30 semester credits as it states in the criteria. Universities use a variety of systems. TQS is, of course, very familiar with those systems and their equivalency to semester credits.

    The criteria for 5+ allow for 6 semester credits to be courses that are not at the senior level. The purpose is to allow teachers to take courses that are pre-requisites for senior level courses in a program. Please advise your members that the best course of action in determining whether or not courses will count in terms of the criteria is to seek pre-approval by TQS. TQS strongly encourages teachers to seek pre-approval to avoid situations where teachers take courses that are later not approved.

    • ]]>     http://prdtu.com/2007/05/30/category-5-information/feed/ 0