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President’s Message
Spring 2015
Preventing and Dealing With Allegations
Allegations and related investigations
can be extremely stressful and
isolating. We are here to support
and assist you through the process.
Counselling and additional support
are also available through the
Employee Assistance Plan (EAP).
Even allegations that appear to
you to be frivolous or entirely false
can result in F&CS and/or criminal
investigations. Many can also result
in discipline by the school board and
complaints to the Ontario College of
Teachers.
At the first hint of any allegation
against you that could potentially
lead to a criminal
or F&CS
investigation,
you
should
immediately contact the local and
the provincial office of ETFO for
advice and support.
When an allegation is made, the
board will assign you to home with
pay pending the outcome of any
investigation. The board will await
the outcome of any F&CS or police
investigation before conducting its
own investigation.
You should refrain from providing
any comments on the situation
and should instead direct any such
enquiries to the school principal.
If you are contacted by anyone
as a potential witness to alleged
misconduct, you should contact
ETFO-Waterloo or ETFO provincial
Professional Relations Services for
advice.
Teachers are compassionate and
caring individuals who are in a position
of trust. They are often the first person
to whom a child will disclose abuse, or
other deeply personal information.
Here are some professional tips on
how to avoid allegations of boundary
violations:
• Avoid sending e-mails to students and
do not give out your personal e-mail
address;
• Keep parents or guardians informed by
phone or written communication about
any issues concerning their child;
• If a disclosure raises an issue of abuse,
report it to the CAS/CFS directly;
• Any suggestions made to students
about themselves or their work should be
professional in nature;
• Maintain professional communications
and relationships with students and their
families;
• Participate only in board-approved
activities off of the school property (e.g.
school trips, tournaments, etc);
• Know and ensure adherence to board
policies, practices, and procedures
related to physical contact regarding
Special Needs students (e.g. restraint);
• Except in an emergency, do not have a
student alone in your vehicle;
• Never have a student overnight to your
home or cottage;
• If you need to speak to students after
class, keep it short and professional;
• If you must detain a student after class,
or speak to a student privately at any
time, keep your door open;
• Involve appropriate third parties with
the student if issues of concern arise;
• Be aware that your gestures or words
Greg Weiler
may be misinterpreted, give thought to
your communications with students;
• If a parent raises a concern about your
communications or gestures involving
their child, raise it immediately with your
principal or another board administrator;
• Call ETFO if you need help or have
concerns about a situation involving a
student.
An ETFO member faced with an
investigation into his or her conduct
by either the OCT, the police, or
the CAS/CFS should immediately
call the local ETFO office and also
Professional Relations Services at
ETFO provincial at 1-888-838-3836
or 416- 962-3836. Members of ETFO
are required to cooperate with
these agencies, but are also entitled
to seek advice before giving any
statements. Investigators from
these agencies take notes of any
comments whatsoever made by
teachers. Teachers are reminded
that any comments or statements
they make may be used against
them later.
610 Wabanaki Drive • Kitchener, ON N2C 2K4 • Phone: 519.896.7172 • Fax: 519.896.7082 • www.etfowr.ca
Executive: President: Greg Weiler, Vice-Presidents: Nancy Hutcheson, Ali Lyon, Joanne Threndyle, Associate Vice-Presidents: Lynn Buckley, Kim Stenhouse,
Executive members: Mike Beetham, Carolyn Boyne, Kim Johnstone, Matthew Hunter, Trish Morgan, Jeff Pelich, Kristie Stanzel, Susan Watt
A MESSAGE FROM THE VICE-PRESIDENT
Get Involved!
As a member of ETFO-Waterloo there
are many opportunities for you to get
involved in a variety of activities. Your
level of involvement can be as simple as
attending one of our Celebration dinners,
being involved as a Rep at your school,
serving on one of our committees, or a
host of other options. Spring brings a
myriad of activities and opportunities to
look at ways to become involved next
year.
Nominate a deserving colleague for an
ETFO-Waterloo award. We have many
awards, which are presented to our
members at the June Celebration Dinner.
Deadline for nominations is April 16th. You
can get a form from your Fed Rep or on
MemberHub.
Come to a workshop! Keep your eye
on MemberHub and the website for
awesome workshop opportunities put on
by members for members.
Thursday, June 11th we will be honouring
retirees and award winners. Stay tuned for
ticket sales and details on a fun night at
Bingemans.
Come to a General Membership
Meeting. These meeting are held 3
times a year and are open to all ETFO
Waterloo members. Come and be a
part of the local decision making for
your Federation. Our next meeting is
Tuesday May 26th at 4:45 at Bingemans.
We will elective our released officers
and Executive for next year.
Join a committee! We have over 20
committees in Waterloo! Soon you will
have an opportunity to join one for
2015-2016. Keep your eyes open for the
committee involvement sheet. If you
aren’t sure what one to join, look for one
that interests you and sign up.
Become a Fed Rep or alternate for your
worksite. In June, each worksite will need
to send us the name of a member or two
to serve as reps at our monthly Rep Council
meetings. If monthly feels like too much,
you can split the job with others.
Become a delegate to the AGM. Each
August, members from across the province
come together for 4 days in Toronto to
conduct the Provincial business of the
Federation. Consider putting your name
forward to be a delegate or an alternate for
this. It is an excellent opportunity to learn
more about how the Federation works.
Dress up and come out to a Celebration
dinner. In November we honour 25 year
members and New teachers. This year, on
Visit our website www.etfowr.ca or follow
us on twitter @ETFOWaterloo or like us on
Facebook ETFOWR.
Joanne Threndyle
Run for an executive position. At the
Business meeting on May 26th, we will be
electing released officers and Executive.
There are 4 released positions and 10 nonreleased executive positions. Watch for the
call for nominations coming out soon and
consider throwing your hat into the ring!
There has never been a more important
time to get involved in the many activities
that are ETFO Waterloo. Your voice makes
a difference. We encourage all members
to get involved because We are ETFOWaterloo. Through your involvement
you help build a stronger union in the
workplace and beyond!
Re-Thinking White Privilege
On Monday, March 30, 2015 the Equity and Social
Justice Committee hosted an exciting new ETFO
provincial workshop presented by co-writer Emily
Hasting-Speck and Waterloo Region’s own Susan
Watt.
ETFO members and other community members were
led through discussions about the often invisible
advantages from which people of white skin benefit
as part of society. Participants shared some of the
ways privilege and disadvantage had affected their
experiences.
Participants left with valuable resources and plenty
to think about. Most importantly, we left with new
tools and language to continue the conversation and
to make our learning spaces more truly pluralistic
and inclusive.
ETFO Helps Labour Celebrate
International Women’s Day
March 7, the 2nd Annual
Waterloo Region International
Women's Day Breakfast was
held at the UNIFOR Hall in
Kitchener. This event was
organized and sponsored
by ETFO and other unions to
celebrate the work of women
around the globe.
International Women's Day
recognizes the achievements
of women and celebrates
our contributions to Canada
and the world. The day pays
tribute to the efforts of women
in politics, science, academia,
media, the arts, sports and the
home. International Women’s
Day is also a time of spreading
awareness that many women
around the world continue the
struggle to participate equally in
their communities.
Members of ETFO-WR’s Status
of Women Committee and
the ETFO-OT Status of Women
Committee attended, along
with about 320 other people.
The lively event included guest
speakers, lunch, raffle draws and
door prizes and raised $5622 for
women's shelters in Waterloo
region.
(Left) The Paulander Literacy Club - Laura Michael, Kelly Griggs, Tyler Yantzi and
Devon Girt. (Top right) Anne Thaler of The Literacy Group, Waterloo Region.
(Bottom right ) Deb McCarter - Stanley Park Community Centre.
Teachers Give Back
Not only are ETFO-Waterloo
members
very
dedicated
professionals, committed to
excellence in teaching, many of us
also volunteer in countless ways
in our community. Some coach,
some lead youth groups or choirs,
read to children in hospital, assist
seniors and… the list is endless.
Thank you to ETFO’s 2015
IWD committee member Deb The Political Action - Public
McCarter for all her work making Relations Committee has been
this a successful event.
recognizing this volunteer
work and, where possible,
making a donation of up
to $50 to the organizations
where teachers volunteer and
raising the profile of teachers
in our community.
For more information on
how to apply or how to
nominate a colleague, please
see the application form in
the Files section of General
Membership.
Suddaby Learning Skills Night
ETFO-Waterloo Region teachers teamed
up with members of admin and school
council at Suddaby Public School to host
their first ever Learning Skills Information
Night for parents and students after
school on Wed., March 25th.
Suddaby has a tradition of hosting an
annual Family Math Night but this year
decided to focus on learning skills.
We all recognize that children
do their best when schools and
families work together, so parents
and students were given the
opportunity to participate in
fun learning demonstrations to
illustrate some of the learning
skills. They also asked questions,
and learned how these same skills
can be practised and nurtured at
home.
We welcomed more than 120
families, and are working on plans
to offer this fun and informative
evening again in next year.
A MESSAGE FROM THE VICE-PRESIDENT
Staffing FAQ’s
We will have an Enrolment Transfer.
Are there situations where the
least senior teacher is exempt form
being the enrolment transfer?
All teachers can be declared ETs except
teachers on statutory maternity or
parental leave and teachers off on
Long Term Disability. During staffing
the administration has to staff their
school using their existing staff.
Programming requirements, such as
French can create a “trump situation”
with an ET. If there is a need for
a French teacher and the French
teacher is the lowest in seniority, the
French teacher will be skipped and
a more senior teacher would then
become the ET.
A teacher just decided to VT at my
school. Can the principal now offer
the job to an existing staff member?
Yes. The principal has the ability to
place a teacher currently on staff
into the assignment or post it. The
decision is left to the principal.
Can I be assigned to teach outside
of my divisional qualifications?
Such assignments can be made
by mutual agreement. If a teacher
desires to teach in a given division
they should become qualified to
ensure consideration. Teachers at
senior schools, especially, should
be mindful of this to avoid the
additional possibility of becoming
an enrolment transfer as a result of
being unqualified in the intermediate
division.
How many jobs can I apply to?
During the Voluntary Transfer and
Enrollment Transfer posting, teachers
may apply to up to 4 positions for
which they are qualified and which
are equivalent to their current
contract FTE.
During the first, Second and Third
General postings there is no limit to
the number of positions a teacher
can apply to.
Who must a principal interview?
Principals are required to conduct
interviews with the 3 applicants who
have the greatest ETFO seniority. In
the event that 5 or fewer applicants
apply to a posting, all applicants will
be interviewed.
When can interviews take place?
Interviews must take place outside
of a teachers’ instructional day, as
there is no release time allotted
for interviews. Teachers are not
to be interviewed on weekends,
recognizing that Friday evening is
not considered part of the weekend.
Can a teacher participate in the
interview? I’d like to be involved in
deciding who my teaching partner
will be.
No. Teachers cannot be involved with
the interview process of any ETFO
member - this includes LTOs and
DECEs. It is ETFO’s position that no
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Ali Lyon
member participate in the assessment
of or reporting on another member’s
classroom practices.
I need time to think before
accepting a job. How much time
can I ask for?
Once a teacher has received an offer
of a position the teacher has 24 hours
to accept or decline the offer. After a
teacher accepts an offer, the teacher
may not accept another offer during
that posting.
I was successful in attaining a job
through the VT process but my
dream job is on the 1st General
Posting. Can I apply to it?
Yes. Participating in one posting does
not prevent you from participating in
others.
Ali Lyon
Vice President
ETFO Waterloo
AS A MEMBER YOU GET MORE.
THEN YOU GET MORE.
ETFO Waterloo members get extensive coverage,
personalized service and bundled savings packages.
Home+Auto Insurance
1-800-563-0677 (Group ID Code: W5)
Johnson Inc. (“Johnson”) is a licensed insurance
intermediary. Home and auto policies are primarily
underwritten by Unifund Assurance Company
(“Unifund”). Unifund and Johnson share common
ownership. Eligibility requirements, limitations and
exclusions may apply. (MVM.08.2014)
HOME+AUTO INSURANCE
Requests for Medical Information or Concerns Around Absences
So you have been asked to
provide medical information or
discuss an absence…
Your
health
and
medical
circumstances are your personal
information. Your doctor is often
aware of a range of personal
situations or medical conditions
you have, much of which has
nothing to do with your work or
your ability to teach. So when
you are asked by your employer
to provide medical information,
stop to consider what is being
asked and why. While you may
be obliged to provide some
information and you may choose
to provide other information,
do not inadvertently open the
door to exposing more of your
personal medical and other
information than is necessary.
What should I do if I am asked to
provide medical information or
discuss an absence?
Contact the ETFO local with any
concerns about any request for
medical information or request
to discuss an absence. We will
be able to clarify whether the
request raises concerns from a
collective agreement or other
perspective. We can assist you in
thinking of how to approach your
doctor and how to respond to the
school board.
What kind of information may
reasonably be requested?
Our
collective
agreement
provides that, for absences of
six (6) consecutive days, the
teacher will provide medical
documentation from a qualified
health care practitioner, including:
confirmation of an active treatment
plan; indication of any referral to
another medical practitioner;
delineation of limitations;
indication of the date of
reassessment
The collective agreement further
stipulates that, where there
is a concern over a pattern of
absences, the Board may request
a meeting with the teacher and
the Union to discuss the concern.
Following the meeting, the Board
may request supporting medical
documentation.
When does a request for medical
information go too far?
The reasonableness of a request
for medical information will
depend
on
the
particular
circumstances. However, you
should be concerned if your
administrator or employer is
requesting information such as
details of the diagnosis of your
condition, treatment details
including medications, or other
forms of therapy, or information
about causes of the condition.
How is
sought?
medical
information
The WRDSB has a standard set
of forms they ask doctors to
fill out. ETFO works hard to be
aware of what forms the board
is sending out and to object
when the forms request more
information than a board may
be reasonably entitled to know.
Even where a form is regularly
used without objection, it
still may not properly apply to
your circumstances. Even if the
form is acceptable, you need
to understand what is being
sought by the questions so that
you can discuss this with your
doctor and ensure that your
privacy interests are protected
even though some information
is being disclosed. You should
also make sure you review the
completed form before it is sent
to your board.
Medical details are personal
information warranting privacy
protection whether they come
from you or your doctor. If you
would not want your doctor
exposing
certain
personal
information, then be careful not
to feel pressured into sharing it
yourself in a call from a disability
manager or board representative.
I don’t want to make waves or be
seen as difficult.
You do not have the right to
refuse all requests for medical
information regardless of the
circumstances. But there are
limits on what you can be
required to provide. Asserting
rights which limit the amount
of personal information that
is shared with your employer
is not being uncooperative.
Often, the request for medical
information comes when you
feel unwell and vulnerable:
all the more reason to seek
assistance from your Federation
representatives.
For further information contact
Ali Lyon or Greg Weiler at the
local ETFO office.
DAY OF MOURNING
Remember
A day to
those killed or injured in the workplace,
and
RENEW
commitment to
WORKER HEALTH, SAFETY and WELL-BEING
1-800-668-4284
WE ARE ETFO
ETFO members are front and centre in
our ongoing “We are ETFO” campaign.
The search is in for members who are
proud to be part of ETFO-WR and who
reflect the diversity of our union. We
want our members to participate in a
photo shoot.
Members who are chosen will be
asked to sign a standard release form.
Photos may be used to promote
ETFO-WR campaigns, activities and
events.
If you’re interested in participating
in a short photo shoot with ETFOWR colleagues, please send an email,
along with a photograph of yourself
(even a “selfie” is ok!) to Nancy
Hutcheson via WaterWorks. Locations
and dates will be chosen to suit your
schedule, in consultation with Nancy.
Pension and Retirement
MEMBERSHIP
HAS ITS
BENEFITS
We’re nearing the time of year when
some people begin to consider
retirement. If you are thinking of retiring
in the near future, there are many factors
to consider, not the least of which is your
pension. To get an overview of your
pension, visit the Ontario Teachers’
Pension Plan (OTPP) web site (ottp.com).
ETFO members who purchase
car insurance from OTIP save
up to 50% on home insurance
As well, you can use OTTP’s pension
calculator tool to get an idea of your
personal situation, or speak with a
pension specialist at OTPP regarding
the specifics of your pension. If you
need further information, you can
also contact Jennifer Mitchell at ETFO
provincial. (jmitchell@etfo.org)
Thinking of Retiring?
Congratulations! But before you go,
please send a a digital photo or photos
of yourself to Nancy Hutcheson for
inclusion in our retiree slide show at
the June 11 Celebration Dinner. Photos
should be received by June 4.
In Remembrance
It is with sadness and sympathy that we acknowledge the early
passing of one of our members.
Call 1-800-267-6847 or visit
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This is a one-time discount (of up to 50%) and is only applicable to new multi-line home
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Kim Howey
A MESSAGE FROM THE VICE-PRESIDENT
It’s Time For a Change
Canada’s workplaces have changed
over the past 50 years – teaching is
a prime example! - but public policy
hasn’t kept up. The federal election
this year is our chance to get Canada
moving in a better direction.
Here are two key issues, as examples:
Health Care
Publicly funded, universal health care
is a part of Canada’s identity. Access to
health care based on need, not wealth
or privilege, is central to our values.
It’s also smart economics. Our system
costs less and delivers more than the
market-driven alternative in the U.S.
We have better outcomes on key
indicators like infant mortality and life
expectancy. Health care costs in the
U.S. are also a major cause of personal
bankruptcy, as opposed to Canada
where everyone is covered.
However, in the past nine years, the
government has not enforced the
Canada Health Act, has refused to sign
a new Health Accord, and has slashed
$36 billion from federal health care
funding. This leaves the door open to
for-profit health care and leaves too
many people out in the cold.
Retirement Security
Currently, seniors comprise about 16%
of the population. Within a generation,
that number will be 25%. Between
now and 2022, over 3 million workers
are expected to retire – but many of
them know they can’t afford to.
Half of today’s middle-income earners
born between 1945 and 1970 face a
drop of at least 25% in their standard
of living on retiring.
Shrinking access to workplace
pensions is a big part of this puzzle.
Today, less than 40% of workers have
a workplace pension. In the private
sector, that number is fewer than 25%.
For young workers (under age 29) the
number drops to just 13%.
Most workers with a pension have a
union to thank, but union density is
dropping.
Expanding the Canada Pension Plan
(CPP) is by far the simplest and most
cost-effective way to ensure a secure
Nancy Hutcheson
and adequate retirement income that
would be accessible to virtually all
working Canadians, including those
who are self-employed.
We can’t afford four more years of a
government that ignores public health
care and pension experts in favour of
banks and insurance companies who
benefit most from this government’s
direction. It’s time for a change.
(Source: Canadian Labour Congress:
The Issues, 2015)
Coming Events
April 17 ETFO PD Day
April 20 New Members’ Workshop
April 21 Retirement 101 (Last session)
April 23 Health and Safety Training
for reps
April 24 Wing Ding, Edelweiss
April 25 Landfill Tour
April 27 French as a Second Language
Workshop
April 28 National Day of Mourning
April 30 Rep Council
May 2 Day With a Difference
May 4 Deadline for Nominations for
ETFO-WR Election
May 7 Stewards’ Information Meeting
May 12 Professional Development
Workshop
May 12 Labour Council
May 19 Professional Development
Workshop
May 26 ETFO-WR Annual Meeting
and Elections
June 9 Labour Council
June 11 Celebration Dinner
June 12 Wing Ding, Boston Pizza on
Ira Needles
June 18 Rep Council End of Year BBQ
June 22 ETFO Golf Tournament
June 26 Last Day of School
Follow us on Twitter
@ETFOWaterloo
Visit us online at www.etfowr.ca
and
www.etfowaterloo.memberhub.com
ETFOWR