What do these changes mean for me as an OT? The full report of the task force is available in the Members’ Area at catholicteachers.ca, but here is some of the key information you need to know: From your very first day of teaching as an OT, through to the end of your teaching career, as long as you are employed by the same school board, you will belong to one unit. You will have one point of contact to meet your needs: your local unit. You will receive all relevant information and communications from them, which will streamline the communications process and ensure consistency of information. You will also be able to access the staff representative in your school for guidance and support. You will share in the access to professional development opportunities, unit events, and other activities provided by your unit and offered to all members. Occasional teachers will still be able to teach in both panels (if qualified), regardless of which unit you belong to. Every unit in the province will have an OT representative on its executive to ensure that the OT voice is heard. Every unit will have an OT bargaining committee and you will continue to have a separate collective agreement that speaks to your specific needs and working conditions as an OT. Every unit will have at least one OT delegate/alternate at AGM. You will continue to have regional OT representatives at the Council of Presidents.
The task force consulted and carefully considered these recommended changes, attendees to AGM debated the resolutions, and decisions were made to ensure that the level of service to our occasional teacher members was enhanced. On a personal note, I would like to thank the members of the OTBU Task Force for their contributions. Your openness to communicate and your ability to create a safe space for all to bring forward concerns, questions, and opinions was
appreciated. It is never easy to be tasked with suggesting change, but if you truly believe in the benefits of the endeavour your discussions become more fruitful.
Tracey Pecarski is President of the OECTA Renfrew unit and was chair of the Occasional Teacher Bargaining Unit Task Force.
MAY 2019 | CATHOLIC TEACHER 15