Around OECTA
September 2024
In this issue...
From Your Local Unit
President's Message
Hello Teachers of Hamilton-Wentworth.
Welcome you back to another exciting year.
By now, most of you are probably well back into a routine, getting to know your students, and navigating more than your share of challenges. The unit office has been navigating as well. The theme for this month has been rollouts. Specifically, Easy Connect and the Early Reading Screener. We’ve been fortunate to have members willing to contact the office with specific concerns which help us in our work.
The Easy Connect system has been a challenge as the office seeks answers to our questions regarding procedures while advocating for adherence to the collective agreement. For months, the office has been open to discussions related to the implementation of a new allocation system. We suggested a trial period to end last year. The board opted for a rollout this September and there have been some issues. Members are encouraged to fully explore the system and your account to ensure your preferred settings are accurate and can create appropriate callouts. We will continue to monitor, however, we need specific details when problems arise.
The Ministry-mandated, early reading screening has begun. As part of the central terms in our collective agreement, OECTA negotiated 8.5 positions to support this screening tool and reading intervention. The unit supported the staffing of these positions for last year. The rollout of the screening tool and training on the tool has taken place with Kindergarten teachers being in-serviced in June and the Grades 1 & 2 as well as teachers new to kindergarten in September. The LRTs and SERTs were in-serviced on the PD Day on September 20. We are looking for feedback on the process to date. LRTs are encouraged to communicate their experiences to the OECTA office and to board leadership to highlight necessary adjustments and needed support.
OECTA helps support teachers who may need to be off from work for a variety of reasons throughout the school year. If you find yourself in this situation, please reach out to the unit office for guidance and/or advice. Each situation is unique and properly pathwaying teachers is an important consideration. As well, there may be a need for a longer absence. The transition from short-term leave (STLD) to long-term disability (LTD) may be appropriate, however, this change is not an entitlement. LTD is a benefit that most teachers pay into through bi-weekly payments and it is often viewed as an extension of STLD, it is not. Applications for LTD can take up to 3 months. Please reach out to us so we can help you navigate the process and avoid any potential gaps in pay.
With the issuing of PPM 128, the Ministry has again downloaded a political policy onto its stakeholders. This is the memo related to cell phones and vaping. The Unit Office reached out to the board before and during the summer for clarity on the implementation of this memo. We were given assurances that the confiscation of mobile devices would NOT fall on teachers. The guidance is that students who fail to comply are directed by the teacher to comply and if they are still in defiance, students are sent to the principal. Teachers are encouraged to use your professional judgement when monitoring this policy memo. If you have been given direction to collect mobile devices for non-compliance, please let the unit office know.
Teachers, please remember your obligation to report any inappropriate or violent incidents using the Online Reporting Tool. You can find more information about this in the newsletter. This data is essential for the Joint Health and Safety Committees to track these incidents. The principal is required to take action on all reports, and this information also helps the unit office address situations in our schools.
Thank you for your continued dedication. We're looking forward to a successful year together.
Josh
Important Upcoming Dates
Thus Saith the Arbitrator

Check Your Grid Placement
Over the summer, Bill 124 remedies were paid out and the salary grid was adjusted to reflect the arbitrator's award up to the end of the 2021-2022 school year. While we await the next arbitrated decision in respect of salary adjustments, the grid that Teachers will be paid on tops out at an A4-Max value of $107,353. Another retro payment to settle up for the past two school years of illegal wage restraint will be arriving at some point in the near future. Details to come.
Many of our members use their summer vacations to upgrade their credentials. In some instances, completion of a course may lead to a category change on the salary grid. Please note that the school board will not automatically adjust your placement on the grid. Teachers are responsible for submitting a record of the course completion to the Qualification Evaluation Council of Ontario. Navigate to the QECO website, create an account, and apply for a category assessment today! Processing times stand at approximately 16 weeks.
The teacher must then provide notice of a category change to the Board using this form (click to open) before adjustments are made. Adjustments are only made in September and January. Do not wait until you receive the QECO approval to notify the board. You must notify by December 31 for retro back to September (for qualifications obtained in the summer) or March 31 for retro back to January (for qualifications obtained in the fall).
All members are highly encouraged to review their pay stub found in the Employee Self Serve portal to ensure that they are being paid correctly. If you are still progressing through the grid, be sure to check that you are being paid at the correct step. Your grid rate divided by 26 should equal the gross pay on your pay stub. If you are half way between years experience, add the two salaries and divide by 2, then divide by 26. If errors are found, or if questions arise, contact should be made with payroll@hwcdsb.ca and copy the unit office. You can also reach out to the unit office for assistance.
Daily Rate for Occasional Teachers
For our members who are currently working in a daily occasional role, the daily rate for the 2024/2025 school year is $259.05.
OECTA vs His Magesty, the King in Right of Ontario
Know Your Contract - Urgent/Personal Days
What you need to know to avoid losing pay
Each year our office deals with teachers who lose pay because of over-use or incorrect usage of their urgent/personal days (UPR). These days are part of the 5 "other" days you receive in addition to your 11 sick days. Calling in an urgent/personal days means you are not sick and are not at an appointment. The board will not just "switch it" to a sick day if you over-use these days. There are also rules regarding when you can use an urgent/personal day and when you cannot. In the collective agreement it specifically states that you cannot use an urgent/personal day attached to a holiday. If you do, the board will reach out to ask you to explain why you did. You then allow them the ability to decide if they think it is a valid use or not, and whether they will pay you.
If you need to use an urgent/personal day attached to a holiday, you can use the "request leave" icon on MySite to request it in advance of the holiday. You want the board to understand why you need to do this, so you will need to provide your reason. Ultimately they can approve or deny the use of urgent/personal. This is the only time you would use the leave request icon to request to use your urgent/personal days. Under all other circumstances you do not need to ask permission to use your urgent/personal days, nor do you need to provide the reason why you are using the day.
Below is a list of the days that are attached to a holiday, where the board will demand you provide a reason for using your urgent/personal day. Please, either request them in advance if you need them. All this being said, if you have a true emergency such as a serious family medical issue, a flood in your house etc. then please use the code and reach out to the office for support/guidance.
UPR Blackout Dates:
October 11, 15 (Thanksgiving)
December 20, January 6 (Christmas Break)
February 14, 18 (Family Day weekend)
March 7, 17 (March Break)
April 17, 22 (Easter)
May 16, 20 (Victoria Day weekend)
June 27 (last day of school)
It is also important to keep in mind that if you use all 5 of your "other" days for appointments, this means you do not have any urgent/personal OR inclement weather available to use. If you use them, the board will change these to unpaid. Or, if you only used 4 of the 5, then take 2 UPR days, you will have one changed to unpaid.
It can take months for the board to identify you have over used these and in some cases, teachers have gone over by more than one day and suffered loss of pay for multiple days. The very nature of the code, means you are not sick (or else you would have used a sick day) so the board won't just take the day out of your sick days, instead. It is a good idea to keep track of how many you have used because ESS can be behind a number of weeks.
Hopefully this helps you to know your contract,
Alison
Missed Preparation and Planning Time Banking
Planning time provisions in our collective agreement state that we will receive a defined amount of preparation and planning time per week (240 minutes). Given the staffing challenges posed by the recruitment and retention crisis in Ontario, it is highly recommended that Teachers track their time very closely. Begin tracking now and remain diligent in banking your missed time throughout the year. It is each Teacher's responsibility to bank their missed time.
In previous years, and in accordance with Article X: 10.01 in our 2019-2022 collective agreement, "A Teacher who misses his/her preparation and planning time shall record the number of minutes on each occasion in the “Missed Planning and Preparation Time Binder” found in the main office of each school." Following the full implementation of our new 2022-2026 collective agreement, changes will be coming with respect to the banking of missed prep and planning time. Until such time, the expectation is that Teachers will continue to add any missed time to the binder located in the main office. After implementation, Teachers will be required to bank their time in a digital format. Details on the digital means to bank time will be coming in the near future.
Please review the following information outlining the Preparation and Planning Time provisions from your collective agreement. Included at the bottom of this list (in blue) are the incoming articles negotiated during the most recent round of collective bargaining. Once the Voluntary Binding Arbitration Process is completed, all new articles will be implemented.
Preparation and Planning Time - Key Elements
FTE teachers receive 240 minutes within a 300 minute instructional day.
Planning time is prorated for a part-time teacher.
Planning time is not banked for liturgies or masses unless a teacher is regularly impacted by the scheduling of such events.
Planning time occurs during the instructional day and does not involve supervision of students.
The teacher decides how to use their planning time for tasks productive toward fulfilling their duties.
The school schedule shall be adjusted so a teacher does not lose planning time on a regular basis.
Planning time shall occur in blocks no shorter than 20 minutes.
Planning time is prorated for a week having a PA Day or holiday.
The teacher shall record the number of minutes missed in the planning time binder. The binder is to be kept in the main office.
All missed time shall be repaid in the school year in which it was banked.
Extra planning time given to a teacher is not considered to be payment for time missed in the future.
NEW ARTICLES
When preparation and planning time is missed, the Parties agree that the most preferable outcome is the timely rescheduling of missed preparation and planning time within the three hundred (300) minute instructional program.
Not eligible for banking or payout:
Activities for which the teacher volunteered to participate (including but not limited to participating in extra-curricular activities, educational excursions, and professional development).
Preparation and planning time provided on days when not scheduled to be in class (professional development and training where an OT has been provided, professional activity days, school closures, and holidays).
Teachers shall report any missed preparation and planning time to the school principal, or designate, at the end of each week via email or other electronic means as agreed to by the school board and the Association, identifying the date and the number of minutes of missed preparation and planning time. The school principal, or designate, shall respond electronically by the end of the week confirming receipt. The principal or designate will create a monthly report of the missed preparation and planning time.
A school board shall have five (5) months (excluding July and August) from the date of the monthly report as per the above article to reschedule the missed preparation and planning time.
Should any missed preparation and planning time not be rescheduled within the timeframe outlined above, the school board shall pay out the missed time, in accordance with the formula to be determined by the Voluntary Binding Arbitration process.
Missed preparation and planning time that is not rescheduled shall be paid on the first available payroll run on or following July 15 and February 15.
The payout shall be determined by a formula to be decided upon in the Voluntary Binding Arbitration process.
Please note that the AIT schedule should shift on weeks with a PA day or holiday to prevent the same teachers from consistently losing their weekly AIT period. Please see the memo issued by the Board addressing this.
If you have questions about planning and preparation time, please reach out to the office for assistance.
LTD Updates
Members are reminded of some important changes made to their Long Term Disability insurance plan which took effect September 1. When accessing a Board approved leave of absence, it is now mandatory that premiums be paid to protect a Teacher's income throughout their leave. This applies to part-time and full-time leaves of absence.
Absence Allocation and Balances
Members are encouraged to take a moment to ensure that the board has accurately accounted for your absences last year. Errors have been known to happen, and they are much easier to resolve earlier on in the school year. As a reminder, your top-up days this year are equal to your remaining Personal Illness balance from last year. Each top-up day equates to 10 days paid at 100% while accessing the Short Term Leave and Disability Plan (bank of 120 days), so be certain that your top-up days are accurately reflected.
PD Funds
The OECTA Hamilton-Wentworth 2024-2025 budget continues to set aside funds accessible to members to assist with costs associated with professional development opportunities such as AQ courses, conferences, and workshops. To take advantage of this opportunity, please complete the application form linked below.
Please Note:
Each member is able to access up to $250.00, until the budget line is exhausted.
Included: AQ courses, conferences, workshops, classes, including OT coverage for an absence to attend a course/conference/workshop etc. The content of the opportunity must be supportive of your teaching practice.
Excluded: Expenses like accommodations, mileage, books, technology, monthly subscriptions, etc.
Priority given to members who did not access the funds last year.
Documentation of completion and a copy of the receipt will be required to receive reimbursement.
PD must be completed between July 1, 2024 June 30, 2025. Funds are not accessible for PD completed in prior years.
Persons working for another board are not eligible.
Occasional Teachers are eligible to access the fund after working their 45th day with the HWCDSB.
Applications are subject to the approval of the PD committee.
Track Your Mileage
At the start of each year it is a good idea to refresh yourself on the three different travel allowance buckets available to you. The first two, Articles 8.01 and 8.02, are defined in our contract. For most members, these are the ones to be most concerned with. The third bucket is reserved for travel incurred in the execution of union related business.
It is important that you keep an accurate and itemized list of all travel. Your list should be separated according to the bucket through which the funds are dispersed.
Article 8.01 - Board Approved Business
Teachers shall be reimbursed for required driving while in the course of their employment, in excess of their daily commute and for travel between sites during the instructional day in accordance with the Board’s policy re: Employee Expenditure – Travel/Conferences.
This includes if you use your own vehicle to attend a field trip, have a half day workshop or have to travel to two different locations on a PA Day.
Mileage is submitted to the board using the HWCDSB mileage form and is NOT round trip.
Claims are to be submitted to Human Resources for approval on a monthly basis and not cumulatively at the end of a term or the school year.
Use the Board mileage claim form found here.
Article 8.02 - Extracurricular Allowance
Each school will be provided with an annual allowance of no less than $450, which will be used by the Principal to reimburse Teachers who use their automobiles as a result of their involvement in extracurricular activities.
Included are activities such as C.Y.O. sports, Public Speaking, Scripture Reading, Math Challenge, Science Fair, Chess, Choir, Drama, Co-curricular Activities, etc.
It can be helpful to sit down as a staff at the start of the year to establish which activities will be eligible to include in a Teacher's claim.
This mileage is part of the permanent teacher contract only.
The Principal of each school will receive the funds to be disbursed to Teachers who submit mileage on a pro-rated basis.
It is the responsibility of Teachers to track their mileage.
A copy of the disbursement of funds will be provided to the school’s OECTA representative.
OECTA Committee Mileage
OECTA committee members can have the chairperson sign an OECTA mileage form and submit it to the office.
This form is for “out of way mileage” and is based on actual kilometers driven.
Use the OECTA mileage claim form found here.
ALP and TPA
Members are reminded that they must maintain an Annual Learning Plan in accordance with Article 6.3.1 of the Central Terms of the collective agreement.
"The Annual Learning Plan (ALP) is a component of the performance appraisal framework for experienced teachers. Experienced teachers must complete/update their ALP in accordance with Ministry and regulatory requirements. The ALP is teacher-authored and directed and is developed in a consultative and collaborative manner with the principal, or designate."
To assist members with writing and maintaining their Annual Learning Plans, your Association has created a guide which outlines the three main components to each plan: professional growth objectives; proposed action plan; and timelines for achieving those objectives.
Committee Callouts
As the heart and soul of OECTA-HW, our members possess the power to foster positive change within our Association through their involvement on the unit's various committees. Working together with fellow colleagues builds a sense of camaraderie and unity, while providing a platform to collaborate, exchange ideas, and contribute to the collective wisdom of our profession. Our ultimate aim is to cultivate a vibrant community of professionals, and harness their collective talents and knowledge toward our shared interest—a well-supported workforce within a thriving publicly funded Catholic education system.
We encourage all members to explore the various committees within our unit and find one that aligns with their interests and aspirations. Remember, your involvement matters! Together, we can shape the future of education, advocate for positive change, and create a system that truly supports both educators and students. Join the movement today and become an active participant in building a brighter future for our profession and the children we serve.
OECTA Over the Summer
Project Overseas
This summer, one of our OECTA members participated in Project Overseas and spent 2 weeks in Ghana. Clarerose Mascarenas was selected by OECTA to participate in this 'transformative' experience. Here is an excerpt from her journey.
I am grateful to OECTA first for picking me, CTF, FCE, and GNAT for making this transformative journey possible. Your unwavering support and commitment to educational development allowed us to embark on this meaningful adventure. The true value of this trip lay not only in the lessons taught but in the mutual exchange of knowledge and experiences. By sharing my skills and insights, I aimed to inspire and uplift. In return, I was indeed inspired by the resilience, warmth, and wisdom of those I encountered. Helen Keller once said, “Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much,” perfectly capture the essence of this journey.
Well done, Clarerose.
Standing OECTAgether in Defense of Our Public Trust
The work of advocacy never stops.
Throughout the summer, your OECTA-HW unit lent its voice to the larger labour movement in defense of our cherished public trusts of public education and health care, which continue to be significantly underfunded by the Ford government. We also stood with LCBO workers whose struggle to keep up with inflation and for better working conditions is a shared struggle with Teachers.
Want to take a stand but don't know how to get involved? Consider joining our Political Action Committee. We are always looking for more members - the more we OECTAgether, the stronger we'll be. Let's fight for the institutions and rights we hold dear. Remember, when we fight, we win.
Promotional Material
Starting the Year Off Strong And Supported
Welcome back to another school year! We hope you’re feeling refreshed and inspired after the summer break. Now is an ideal time to reflect on your accomplishments and plan for the future, both personally and professionally. We want to reassure you that our team is committed to supporting your health, wellness, and financial security so you can thrive in your pivotal role within the education community. You may be most familiar with Ontario Teachers Insurance Plan (OTIP) as your group benefits provider, but did you know that we also offer personal insurance coverage?
Read on to learn more about what we’re proud of at www.otip.com/article185. #OTIPUpdate
As our way of saying thank you for getting an auto and/or home insurance quote, we'll send you a $20 gift card of your choice. Plus, when you get a quote throughout September and October, you'll be automatically entered into our Back to School Bonus Contest for a chance to win $1,000 cash! Get an online quote or call 1-888-892-4935 and mention this offer.
Health and Safety Corner
Teacher Right to Refuse Unsafe Work Given Clarity
An important Ontario Labour Relations Board ruling, issued on May 24, 2024, has clarified and strengthened a Teacher's right to refuse work where violence in the classroom poses a risk to their safety. The case before the OLRB examined a situation in Ontario where three Teachers refused work owing to the risk of harm from a violent student. The ruling also probed further into the intersection of a Teacher's right to refuse work under the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) and the limitation imposed upon Teachers by Regulation 857 to refuse work where their students' safety is also at risk. Members are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the ruling as it is a significant one with implications for all school boards and their response to violence in schools.
Key Learnings
Under Section 43 of the OHSA, a worker may refuse to work where the worker has reason to believe that the work is likely to endanger the worker or another worker. These two conditions were used as the test to determine the lawfulness of the work refusal.
The worker must be “subjectively honest but objectively reasonable.” The refusing worker’s belief must be assessed from their perspective, but there must be some objective information/data behind the belief.
Objective factors can include: the number of Educational Resources Workers a student requires, the need for personal protective equipment during interactions with a student, the need for crisis prevention training, frequent changes to a student’s safety plans, etc.).
The arbitrator confirmed that the objective standard is not “particularly high” and the “benefit of the doubt is properly given to workers” because of the importance of health and safety in the workplace.
Teachers should advise the administration of a work refusal before classes start.
Teachers do not have to attend the classroom before refusing unsafe work.
The OLRB stated that “it may be prudent” for a Teacher to ensure that students are not in imminent danger.
A violent student does not need to be present at the time of the work refusal to meet the “likely to endanger” standard.
Thinking About
Refusing Work?
We should talk first.
Reach out to the unit office to discuss your concerns today.
LINKS
The Importance of the Safe Schools Incident Report
The OLRB's commentary on the need for reasonable objective standards when refusing work underscores the importance of the data collected through a Teacher's dutiful completion of the Safe School's Incident Report. Members are reminded of their professional obligation to report any conduct of students which rises to the threshold for consideration of suspension and/or expulsion through the Online Reporting Tool found in the My Site SharePoint page.
Each SSIR contributes toward satisfying the objective standard by which a work refusal's legitimacy may be assessed, while concurrently providing the data necessary for the school board to effectively provision appropriate resources to meet the needs of students with complex needs. The SSIR also serves to make the school board aware of the existence of a safety hazard for workers in their workplace, thereby invoking the duty of the employer to take every reasonable precaution for the protection of those workers.
Completion of the SSIR, as appropriate, is a crucial step in servicing students, while also protecting workers.
The Impact of Mitigating Factors on the Duty to Report
There is no impact to one's duty to report through the Safe Schools Incident Reporting by the existence of mitigating factors. Regulation 472/07, which beckons a Principal to consider the mitigating factors, would come into the picture only when making a decision about the progressive discipline measure to be applied in any given scenario. It would not limit the duty to report to the principal as required by the Education Act 300.2.
While the student in this case had a designation, the OLRB did not contemplate the mitigating factors as relevant factors when upholding the Teachers' right to refuse work. The school board's duty, as employer, to take every precaution reasonable in the circumstances for the protection of a worker extends to their response to violent students and is irrespective of mitigating factors.
In other words, violence is still violence, no matter who perpetrates it. The Board must always be making inroads to provide workers with a workplace free from violence, and the data generated through the SSIR is a crucial element of that endeavor.
From the Provincial Office
Religious Education AQs in Italy
Important Details
11-day, 10-night trip
July 2 to 12, 2025
Travellers do not need to sign up for the AQ course to participate
Register by October 31 to receive a $150 discount.
The Ontario English Catholic Teachers’ Association in partnership with G/Hardy Tours is thrilled to offer a once in a lifetime trip to Italy, during the Jubilee Year 2025.
Join us for a once in a lifetime opportunity to take OECTA’s Religious Education in Catholic Schools AQ course – Parts 1, 2, or Specialist in Italy and be part of the historical tradition of the Jubilee Year. Be one of the more than 30 million pilgrims expected to travel to Rome during this special time. This is an historical tradition that allows pilgrims to walk through the Holy Doors at St. Peter’s Basilica. An experience permitted only during a Jubilee Year, which happens once every 25 years. Click here for more information about Jubilee 2025.
OECTA’s Religious Education in Catholic Schools AQ in Italy will be delivered both online prior to departure and in person in Italy.
The in-person component will provide participants with an opportunity to explore many religious and holy sights in Italy, but also to continue to unpack the course content, reflect and grow in faith as we travel through Italy as a community of catholic educators and travel companions/guests.
INFORMATION MEETING: October 15 @ 7:00pm
MEETING LINK: click here
MEETING ID : 873 2991 8586
PASSCODE: 691128
OECTA Mini-Courses
Whether you want to brush up on your skills, learn the latest techniques or love collecting microcredentials, Mini-Courses are for you!
Short, one-month, online courses, requiring about 25 hours of time with a manageable workload that you complete on a schedule that works best for your busy life. Each Mini-Course costs only $50.
Offered on a variety of topics, they are led by fully qualified instructors and participants will get a certificate of completion at the conclusion of the course. Improve your quality of life in the classroom and try one!
Spaces are limited and pre-registration for each course is required. There is a two (2) Mini-Course limit per registrant.
From the OTF
Our Ici on parle français PD grant program is back!
Notre programme de subventions de perfectionnement professionnel
Ici on parle français est de retour cette année!
The deadline for applying for a grant is
5:00 pm on Thursday, October 10, 2024.
Successful applicants will be notified by early November 2024
Upcoming Sessions
Once again, participants can partner with other FSL teachers in a collaborative learning team of two to four teachers or apply for an individual grant.
For those working in a team, the maximum grant is $500 per team member (maximum $2,000 per team), and for those working individually, the maximum grant is $250.
You can use your PD grant to participate in a French as a Second Language (FSL) professional learning program/activity of your choosing or to purchase teacher/educator resources to support your own FSL proficiency and teaching.
NEW this year: You can choose to use your PD grant to participate in the FSL Experiential Learning Resources for Educators and Students provincial program, which supports educators in connecting French language learning to STEM opportunities.
Promotional Material
3 tips for starting the school year on the right financial track
As you gear up for the new school year, we’re excited to share 3 financial tips to help you get as organized as your classroom:
Leverage your pay bump: if you’re expecting a salary increase as a result of contract negotiations, don’t miss out on maximizing its impact.
Take control of your debt: With 54% of education members carrying non-mortgage debt, it’s crucial to create a debt payment strategy. Stick to cash or debit for spending, and review your credit report regularly.
Get proactive with your savings goals: The pandemic highlighted the importance of having savings. Be prepared for planned and unplanned events by consistently putting money away.
Read the full article here and set yourself up for financial success this school year: https://bit.ly/4g0TKTZ.
Brought to you by Educators Financial Group. Trusted by over 16,000 education members and their families to meet their financial goals. Book your complimentary consultation today: https://bit.ly/4geYcyC.