Message from the Chair
Happy New Year!We had another year of challenges and growth in Sector 3 in 2023 and I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished together. The Division Executive team worked hard to raise awareness to our sector’s issues and maintain safe workplaces. We are especially proud of our success in organizing 4 new locals bringing us to 18 locals within our sector and we’re still growing! We are excited to see what 2024 will bring.Thank-you to everyone who participated in the Broader Public Service Conference in November 2023!
Participants actively engaged in our staff-led educational entitled “Organizing to Win.” Elections were held on the second day. Congratulations to the newly elected members of the Division Executive for the 2023-2025 term!A recommendation was presented to the delegates requesting the sector executive consider creating an ad hoc committee with the direction to look at establishing equity seats. As a follow up to the recommendation, the executive meeting held January 2024, a fulsome discussion was held with staff and a request has been made for a social mapping survey to be developed to determine the needs of the sector.We look forward to another year ahead of strengthening the voices of all Sector 3 members.In solidarity,Sandra Cadeau
Sector 3 Chair
Sector 3 Division Executive: 2023-2025
Chair: Sandra Cadeau, Local 330 – Simcoe County District School Board
Vice Chair: Melody Hurtubise, Local 2100 – Peel District School Board
Treasurer: Donna Caissie, Local 330 – Simcoe County District School Board
Secretary: Susan Richarz, Local 514 – York Region District School Board
Member at Large: Rebecca Bailey, Local 614 – Rainbow District School Board
Member at Large: Kelly Martin, Local 330 – Simcoe County District School Board
Member at Large: Bonnie Eddy, Local 330 – Simcoe County District School Board
Alternate Member at Large: Adam Lesniewski, Local 292 – Peel District School Board
Alternate Member at Large: Jordan Barrett-Cusson, Local 614 – Rainbow District School Board
Trustee: Paul Ayers, Local 535 – Art Gallery of Ontario
Trustee: Kris Pinto, Local 330 – Simcoe County District School Board
Alternate Trustee: Kathleen Gorven, Local 2100 – Peel District School Board
Alternate Trustee: Charles Audu, Local 535 – Art Gallery of OntarioContact the Divisional Executive at
[email protected].
OCEW Report: Bill 124 versus “Me Too”
The details of the agreement reached by OSSTF and ETFO tables include the following:Across the board compensation increases shall apply and are in addition to the 1% increases previously incorporated under the Moderated 2019-2022 Collective Agreements for the relevant years: September 1, 2019: 0.75%, September 1, 2020: 0.75%. Determination of remedy in Year 3 to be determined by interest arbitration. (Note: The remedy awarded in interest arbitration was September 1, 2021: 2.75%.)The increase for 2021 will be in addition to the 1% increase previously incorporated into the Moderated Collective Agreement. Decision is to be rendered by tripartite board chaired by Arbitrator William Kaplan as expeditiously as possible.The increases will apply to salary grids, wage schedules, allowances, and premiums (i.e. the same items that had been increased by 1% under the Moderated Collective Agreements).Employees who worked in the period of September 1, 2019, to August 31, 2022, are eligible for retroactive payments. These payments will be processed no later than 120 days after the Year 3 increase is determined by the Board.
Where is OPSEU/SEFPO and OCEW on this matter?
Our Central Agreement includes a “me too” clause, which means if any other education worker tables get greater wage increases than OCEW for the 2019-22 period, such increases must also be provided to OCEW education workers.OCEW met with the government and Council of Trustees’ Associations and put them on notice that we intend to rely on the “me too” clause, and we expect the government will honour any negotiated or arbitrated increases for 2019-22 to all other education workers tables. Following this meeting OPSEU/SEFPO representatives met with OPSEU/SEFPO staff and legal counsel to discuss the offer presented to the OCEW by the Ministry of Education.Their offer was to give our members what is being given to CUPE educational workers:
- September 1, 2019: 0.75%
- September 1, 2020: 0.75%
- September 1, 2021: 2.75%
But there was a catch: the Ministry made it clear that the unions that are part of OCEW would have to withdraw their constitutional challenges to Bill 124, which would mean waiving any remedies that might have resulted.The OCEW decided to turn down the Ministry’s offer and instead file a “me too” grievance, demanding that the same percentage salary increases that were given to other education worker tables be given to OCEW members. The grievance process will allow each OCEW union to remain free to continue their Bill 124 constitutional challenges at the same time.We will continue to update members on further developments.
Sector Dues
Just a reminder to locals to keep an eye out for the sector dues invoice. Your dues help to cover the costs of promoting the sector and the important work we do in our teaching and learning environments.The invoice/reminder will be sent to you from Sector 3 Treasurer, Donna Caissie.
Sector 3 Education Work Plan: 2023-2025
The Sector 3 Division Executive has outlined five key goals as part of its Education Work Plan for the 2023-2025 term.
1. Bargaining
Objective: To negotiate a fair Collective Agreement.
Undertakings:- Define and finalize the process for OCEW
- Continue organizing new locals
- Queen’s Park lobby days
- Bargaining conference
- Collective Agreement expires Aug. 31, 2026
2. Growth of the Sector – Organizing and Education
Objective: To support members in their professional lives.
Undertakings:- organizing new locals
- explore training options
3. Ad-Hoc/Equity engagement
Objective: Engaging other Locals and equity groups.
Undertakings:- Building equity within the sector
- Engagement of sector locals (at DivEx or zoom meeting?)
- How are we representing the locals? How are we representing members of various equity groups
4. Communication
Objective: To increase member engagement.
Undertakings:- Continue newsletter to members (with Local introductions)
- Continue social media presence through Facebook and Sector Website
- Email local Presidents/Highest Ranking for feedback on issues/concerns
- Update Index page – bios of Sector Executive
- Reach out to cultural institutions for input
- Highlight and promote the various locals in the sector (Education groups and Cultural Institutions)
5. Campaigns
Objective: To maintain awareness and engagement of the political climate, find creative ways to engage and communicate with members.
Follow us on Facebook!
Click here to follow us and stay up to date on what’s happening in OPSEU/SEFPO Boards of Education and Cultural Institutions – Sector 3!In solidarity,
Your Sector 3 Divisional Executive
