September 16, 1999

125

A joint memo from Keith Johnson and I has been sent to all schools outlining the agreements we have made regarding 125 time. The rules have not changed from last year, so the memo is essentially a summary of last year’s information.

Please note the following:

• 125 time is instructional time as outlined in section 18.03.00 of the collective agreement. Except for one specific exception where department heads may use up to 50% of 125 time for administrative tasks, any other use of 125 time must be approved using a consultative process between OSSTF and the board

• once a member’s total allotment of 125 time is "used up" that member will not do any more of these duties

• the suggested maximum number of on-calls per week is two. While there may be the need for more in exceptional situations, principals have been instructed that this is to be the exception, not the rule

• absent teachers will receive 25 minutes of 125 credit per day until they are replaced by a supply teacher, as will the teachers who cover their classes.

If the protocol outlined in the memo is not being followed, and it is not easily solved at your workplace, we need to know about it in detail, so that we can deal with it. We can’t respond to what we do not hear about.

The P.A. day is going ahead on October 8th. I met with the Director and expressed concern then and subsequently on behalf of the members. We are not participating in the planning in any way as a union, although some members may have chosen to participate individually.

There have been changes in the law which have a direct effect on members. It is imperative that our members are made aware of the duty to report directly if they suspect abuse. Although this can still be done through the principal, it is not good enough to simply notify the principal or someone else of your suspicions and leave it at that. In the case of a member versus member situation in this regard, The Child and Family Services Act takes precedence. In these cases members are advised to contact Provincial Office for advice and assistance.