Non OECTA TSU members can scroll down to my other blogs, or click to go to my May Teacher News Digest 3 HERE!
TSU members will vote for a first vice president this week. You can vote on line or by telephone on Wednesday May 22. You should have received your registration letter in your home mail. Both candidates have been offered the opportunity to post a blog for your consideration. David Szollosy's speech from the OECTA UAGM was received first.
More info can be found on Dave's Facebook page HERE!
DAVE'S SPEECH
My Friends, Colleagues, Sisters and Brothers,
First, I want to thank you all for the incredible privilege of serving you as 1st vice-president this year.
This has been a demanding year. We began with an undemocratically imposed MOU that denied members their rights to negotiate and vote on their collective agreement.
We took on the challenge and consistently opposed the MOU. But, more effectively, Rene and I began meetings with presidents of other OECTA units around the province to prepare changes to our Handbook to ensure that such a fiasco could never happen again. We formed that consensus around the changes, before we got to the AGM, so the changes were implemented virtually unanimously.
This year, I have been able to protect our collective agreement by writing and processing grievances – violations of our collective agreement – more efficiently.
With a structured tracking system, regularly scheduled meetings with Board staff and pre-set arbitration dates, we have addressed grievances in a more timely manner AND reduced the backlog from previous years.
Apart from grievances, I have listened to the members and in response have proposed and initiated new services; including our first and very successful annual maternity benefits workshop and the implementation of TSU sponsored Health and Safety certification training.
Most importantly though, I have been able to be there for members during the crisis times.
When Children’s Aid, or the Police, or the College, or the Superintendent come calling, I have been able to be present with the member, understanding, and knowing what to do to deal with situations of overwhelming stress. I am grateful for those moments of service and want to continue being there for people.
There are new beasts that face us now and they are more fearsome than ever before!
We have seen how the Board has exploited the MOU situation to claw back benefits and mistreat teachers. In response, I have demonstrated real vigilance and an ability to confront and negotiate with senior Board staff to benefit members individually and collectively.
Defence of Labour Rights is my passion. Hudek and Harper have launched a full-out attack on our negotiating rights, our benefits , our pensions – our futures. Only a unified response by the entire labour sector can combat this attack. I have been working with ETFO and OSSTF and broader union movement for decades and especially now in the Workers’ Rights campaign. I have maintained and built our relationships – relationships that are crucial for this political work.
I understand the processes needed to succeed. I work hard and am committed to putting in the long hours and effort to defend and protect our membership.
Keep me, Dave Szollosy, working and succeeding for you as 1st vice-president.
Please explore my teacher blogsite. If you like it come again. Please share my link in solidarity with others!
TSU members will vote for a first vice president this week. You can vote on line or by telephone on Wednesday May 22. You should have received your registration letter in your home mail. Both candidates have been offered the opportunity to post a blog for your consideration. David Szollosy's speech from the OECTA UAGM was received first.
More info can be found on Dave's Facebook page HERE!
DAVE'S SPEECH
My Friends, Colleagues, Sisters and Brothers,
First, I want to thank you all for the incredible privilege of serving you as 1st vice-president this year.
This has been a demanding year. We began with an undemocratically imposed MOU that denied members their rights to negotiate and vote on their collective agreement.
We took on the challenge and consistently opposed the MOU. But, more effectively, Rene and I began meetings with presidents of other OECTA units around the province to prepare changes to our Handbook to ensure that such a fiasco could never happen again. We formed that consensus around the changes, before we got to the AGM, so the changes were implemented virtually unanimously.
This year, I have been able to protect our collective agreement by writing and processing grievances – violations of our collective agreement – more efficiently.
With a structured tracking system, regularly scheduled meetings with Board staff and pre-set arbitration dates, we have addressed grievances in a more timely manner AND reduced the backlog from previous years.
Apart from grievances, I have listened to the members and in response have proposed and initiated new services; including our first and very successful annual maternity benefits workshop and the implementation of TSU sponsored Health and Safety certification training.
Most importantly though, I have been able to be there for members during the crisis times.
When Children’s Aid, or the Police, or the College, or the Superintendent come calling, I have been able to be present with the member, understanding, and knowing what to do to deal with situations of overwhelming stress. I am grateful for those moments of service and want to continue being there for people.
There are new beasts that face us now and they are more fearsome than ever before!
We have seen how the Board has exploited the MOU situation to claw back benefits and mistreat teachers. In response, I have demonstrated real vigilance and an ability to confront and negotiate with senior Board staff to benefit members individually and collectively.
Defence of Labour Rights is my passion. Hudek and Harper have launched a full-out attack on our negotiating rights, our benefits , our pensions – our futures. Only a unified response by the entire labour sector can combat this attack. I have been working with ETFO and OSSTF and broader union movement for decades and especially now in the Workers’ Rights campaign. I have maintained and built our relationships – relationships that are crucial for this political work.
I understand the processes needed to succeed. I work hard and am committed to putting in the long hours and effort to defend and protect our membership.
Keep me, Dave Szollosy, working and succeeding for you as 1st vice-president.
Please explore my teacher blogsite. If you like it come again. Please share my link in solidarity with others!
1 comment:
It is too bad that you and TSU were nowhere to be seen when 4 courageous Ontario Catholic units and 7 members of your own unit (Metro 7)were challenging Provincials' MOU and their dictatorial actions in the Labour Relations Court(without one iota of help or support from TSU). Are you still maintaining a fence sitting position and waiting to see what way the wind will blow? I am and was not impressed as silence is consent!
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