There’s nothing quite like cozying up by the fireplace on a cold winter’s evening. While many Canadians look forward to the warmth, light and ambiance that comes with a home fireplace, it’s important to practice proper fireplace safety. Review the following fireplace safety tips to ensure that you, your family and your home stay safe this season.
Learn more at www.otipinsurance.com/article90.
OSSTF’s annual general meeting, known as AMPA, is coming up from March 12-15, 2021. If there was ever an event where you wanted to learn more about what OSSTF does for education and labour, this is the event to go to. They talk about so many initiatives that are going on. Normally held at the Sheraton Centre Hotel in Toronto, AMPA 2021 will be completely virtual this time as we continue to deal with the pandemic.
Nearly 600 delegates from across the province will attend AMPA 2021 to pass motions, vote on policies and adopt the budget. As well, with AMPA 2021 being an election year, delegates will hear speeches, have an opportunity to ask questions, and then vote for positions on the Provincial Executive.
This 3-day event is not just about business though. It covers many different areas including:
· Speeches from invited guests including politicians and national and international leaders
· Awards to OSSTF Members for contributions and to students for contributions
· Presentations from Social Justice Initiatives
WLUSA is allowed to bring 6 delegates to AMPA 2021. The President and the VP: External automatically get 2 of the 6.
If you are interested in being a delegate and being a part of this experience, please reply to this email and provide your name, position and reason for your interest (2-3 sentences is fine).
As per Bylaw 4, delegates and alternates will be selected by the WLUSA Council of Representatives, following the call for nominations.
**Please note that if you apply to attend AMPA, you will not be allowed to participate in the selection process.
Applications will be accepted until 4:30PM on Wednesday, December 23.
Hydroplaning occurs when a layer of water comes between your car’s tires and the road, causing your car to skid or slide across a wet surface. Even for the most experienced driver, this loss of steering and braking control can be a terrifying experience with potentially disastrous consequences.
Learn more at www.otipinsurance.com/article85.
Margaret Dilworth, a retiree and former WLUSA Member, passed away on November 6th, 2020.
A Laurier employee in the Lazaridis School of Business and Economics for 36 years, Margaret also volunteered her time to WLUSA as their gift coordinator, purchasing cards and gifts for WLUSA Members who were about to retire, as a thank you for their years of service. She will be greatly missed.
More information, including an upcoming memorial service on November 16th, can be found at https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/therecord-waterloo/obituary.aspx?n=margaret-rose-dilworth&pid=197097550
On November 11, we observe a moment of silence to honour the courage, valour and sacrifice of the heroes who have served – and continue to serve – Canada during times of war and conflict.
Remembrance Day is about showing our respect and gratitude to the serving and previous members of our armed forces who have sacrificed for our country.
Find your moment – honour those who have served and show thanks for their sacrifice.
This year, please put health and safety first while observing Remembrance Day. You can pay tribute to our veterans and active service members by:
On November 11, we pay tribute to members of the Canadian Armed Forces who fought to defend our values and freedoms, and to those who continue to serve our country today. Watch this video and take a moment to honour their courage.
The WLUSA Executive is accepting applications to fill one (1) vacancy on the Joint Health & Safety Committee (JHSC) and one (1) vacancy on the Professional Development Fund Committee.
As a Member of the JHSC, you will discuss health and safety issues that impact the Waterloo and Kitchener Campuses of the University. Committee meetings will normally be one and a half hours in length and held monthly from September through June. Training is provided and you shall be granted release time to attend these meetings. This is a great opportunity for anyone who wants to learn more about identifying hazardous situations, participating in consultations with the University, and monitoring of health and safety testing.
The Professional Development Fund Committee is chaired by the WLUSA/OSSTF President (non-voting) and is responsible for reviewing and approving applications to the fund. This ensures fairness and equity in the application of the employee for professional development opportunities. As a member of this committee, you will be expected to meet with the Committee monthly, either in person or over e-mail, for approximately 1 hour per session to evaluate applications.
No previous experience required for either committee.
If you are interested, please send an email to wlusaadmin@wlu.ca by 4:30pm on Friday, November 13th, and include your name, job title and department, and a short blurb (5-6 sentences) outlining why you are interested in the committee and any skills you possess that would contribute to the success of this Committee.
The support staff Bargaining Unit at the University of Ottawa (PSUO-SSUO), represented by the Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation (OSSTF/FEESO), has reached a tentative agreement with the University of Ottawa. Strike action is suspended pending ratification.
The membership showed enormous solidarity and strength through a lengthy and difficult round of bargaining. Their support for their bargaining team allowed us to reach a deal that we can recommend for ratification
Marcelle Desmornes, President of PSUO-SSUO
Details remain confidential until ratified by both parties.
The support staff bargaining unit at the University of Ottawa (PSUO-SSUO) of the Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation (OSSTF/FEESO) went on legal strike as of 12:01 a.m., Monday, October 19, after nineteen months of bargaining did not result in a tentative agreement.
Over 1,300 members of the PSUO-SSUO Bargaining Unit provide support and services to students and professors at the university. They will be on a full withdrawal of services until a tentative deal is reached with the University of Ottawa.
On behalf of the WLUSA Executive, Karen Cleaver, Vice-President: External, wrote the following letter to President Jacques Fremont:
President Jacques Frémont,
I’m writing to you as the Vice-President: External of District 35, WLUSA Bargaining Unit of the Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation. I want to express my absolute solidarity and support for the members of the OSSTF/FEESO District 35 PSUO-SSUO Bargaining Unit as they engage in a legal strike against the University of Ottawa.
I find your attempts to strip health benefits coverage for the over 1,300 employees at your university appalling, especially in the middle of pandemic. These members of OSSTF/FEESO provide important services and supports for students and professors at the university. Yet, you demonstrate a high level of disrespect for the work they do by continuing to put significant cuts to their collective agreement on the table.
As a leader representing over 600 education workers in office, clerical and technical roles at Wilfrid Laurier University, I know our local members will be greatly disappointed to hear of the university’s attempts to strip the collective agreement.
Make no mistake, the 60,000 education workers and teachers of OSSTF/FEESO stand with the members of the PSUO/SSUO bargaining unit.Karen Cleaver
Vice-President: External
District 35, WLUSA Bargaining Unit
Renovating can make your home or office feel fresh, new and inviting. It’s an exciting opportunity to dream about your ideal space and make it a reality. If you’re going through the time, effort and expense to renovate, make sure you do it right the first time around by avoiding these five common mistakes from OTIP Insurance.
Things may look a little different this year, but rest assured that the social committee is hard at work planning some fun virtual and socially distanced events! Some of the upcoming events currently in planning are:
Please check our events page regularly for more information!
You may have also noticed that WLUSA is hosting it’s first ever Football Pool! We have 40 football fans participating and are well on our way! The victor will be named on the WLUSA website at the end of the season.
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