BE AWARE!!!

It has come to our attention that OSSTF is looking to organize the independent unions/associations of Educational Assistants in the fall of 2010.

The approach they will take is to have you sign a card stating that you would like to join their union.  If you are approached please do not sign and contact the office immediately.  Even though our Collective Agreement is not up untill 2012 they can begin to collect signatures.

OSSTF is a teacher union that has a very small number of Educational Assistants throughout the province.  Their priority is teachers.

Please call the office if you require more information.

SUMMER INSTITUTE

By now you may have seen a copy of the Summer Institute 2010 booklet. If you have not come across one, you can go to the Board's website and follow the link on the home page www.dpcdsb.org/SI .

This is an opportunity to tap into some great sessions to learn and/or refresh your skills.  Crisis Prevention Intervention Training (CPI), both Initial and Refresher. 

Just a reminder you can access the Conference Fund to cover the cost of Summer Institute sessions that are relevant to ERWs' positions. 

Looking Ahead....

The Executive has looked at November 2010 and March 2011 as the tentative choices for holding the General Meetings disccussed at the AGMM.  Details will follow in the new school year.

CONGRATULATIONS

Adele Haddad, on the birth of her son, Anthony, 7 lbs. on May 11, 2010.

Gary Camara, on the birth of Madison Joy, 7 lbs. 9 oz.

Cynthia O'Dea, on the birth of her son, Liam Daryl, 6 lbs. 6 oz. on June 21, 2010

ADIEU ANN

Ann McGavock, Secretary/Office Liaison has tendered her resignation, which was accepted with mixed emotions.  Ann has served the Association in the position of Councillor from 2006 - 2008 and as Secretary/Office Liaison from 2008 - 2010. We thank her for all she has done not only in these roles but also as the Association's Librarian (for the past 8 years!).  Ann will be heading to St. John of the Cross in September.  Our loss is certainly St. John's gain. 

Thank You & Best Wishes, Ann!

SUMMER NEWS

We will continue to post any significant news during the summer.  It will be found on the website under 'LATEST NEWS'.

POSTINGS

The Board has informed the Association that there will be 4.5 full time permanent positions posted during the period of July 15 - Aug. 15. 

Reminder to Supply ERWs - if you have completed assignments of 6 months in the current or previous school year then you are eligible to apply and be considered for permanent posted positions.

BENEFITS

The Association has signed off on the Benefits Enhancements.  Details of the enhancements will be available in the Fall 2010.

OTHER INFO

*Summer Hours

The office will be closed from July 1 - September 2.  As usual, the calls during this time will be monitored, so please leave a message and someone will get back to you asap.

* Contact Information

Don't forget, if you have any changes over the summer i.e. address, phone number, going on leave etc., to inform the Association office in order that we may keep the records up to date.

* 2010-2011 DPERWA Office Staff

Debra Henry will be taking leave from the classroom to work in the Association office as the Secretary/Office Liaison.

Mary Haruk will be the new Librarian for the Association.

* Collective Agreement

There will be an updated Collective Agreement available in the Fall.  It will incorporate the new Appendix for Supply ERWs who ratified on May 19, 2010.

*AGMM Minutes

There's been a 'glitch' with uploading these minutes to the website.  We hope to get it sorted out shortly.

EARLY LEARNING/ALL DAY KINDERGARTEN

This program will be kicking off in September 2010.  If you have applied and been successful for the Designated Early Childhood Educator, as full time or supply postion, you may be approached by members of the Elementary Teachers Federation of Ontario-ETFO and/or Canadian Union of Public Employees-CUPE. These unions are attempting to recruit Early Childhood Educators to be part of their groups.  One union is almost exclusively a teacher union the other represents mainly Custodial and Secretarial staff in the education sector with some Educational Assistants and a small number of D-ECEs.

 At this point in time, there is an Arbitration in place to determine that ECEs are already a part of this Association.  Historically, the ECE Kindergarten Placements have been part of this Association. Currently we have many ECE qualified members in our Permanent and Supply groups.

It is in this Association's best interest to protect the intergty of the ECE position and to remain part of our bargaining unit, not to be absorbed into a large many facetted union.

AND FINALLY

On behalf of the DPERWA Executive, I wish that each and everyone has a marvelous summer.  Not everyone will have the opportunity to 'laze around' but as the saying goes, 'A change is as good as a rest'. 

Thank you for your dedication and hard work,

Diane Kossel, President DPERWA 

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