Good morning,
Hope everyone enjoyed the wonderful weather on Saturday and are preparing for the colder weather ahead. Please take note of this week’s Announcements in the Check-in as there are some time sensitive items. Also please see the attachments sent on behalf of Turk MacDonald First VP.
Also, the local Executive did discuss the issue around PT interviews the evening of our meeting. Thank you to our VP of Reps and Equity, Desiree Daniele for checking for new dates with the Legion. There were 2 dates available and one conflicted with me being able to Chair and the other was too tight a timeline for Resolutions, which is the main agenda item for next month’s meeting. There was also a concern that moving the date could also cause other members issues with attendance.
To try to be both fair, and accommodating, for all the meeting will still be on the 22nd as scheduled. Those who cannot attend on the 22nd due to PT ,will be able to meet vial Zoom on the 23rd (time TBA) for any Rep/Report concerns. There will be an attendance link for those in attendance as well. I would like to thank the members who reached out regarding the concern they had, all the Executive for their input; and fingers crossed we will not need the Zoom option anytime in the near future. Hope everyone has a great week and enjoy Halloween tomorrow.
Thanks,
Shawn
Announcements
Meeting dates
The Halifax County Local General Meeting dates are as follows:
November 22
January 10
March 6
April 10
May 8
June 5
*Meetings are held at 6pm (5:30 supper) at the Legion in Lower Sackville.
ERIP
Any member who is retiring this year and interested in an Early Retirement Incentive Plan (ERIP) must apply by December 31st. Any retiring teacher should reach out to the local’s NSTU executive staff officer, Wally Fiander, for details. The ERIP article (38) and explanation of the Plan (Appendix A) may be found in the Teachers’ Provincial Agreement (TPA) at the link below. The Appendix explains the application process, conditions and other pertinent information.
Teachers’ Provincial Agreement 2015-2019 (windows.net)
Economic Welfare
Economic Welfare Workshops/Presentations 2023-2024
The first two workshops of the 2023-2024 are here. These sessions will be provided virtually via the Zoom platform. To register please use the accompanying link for the workshop/presentation.
- Pension 101 Retirement Pension Structure – This presentation provides an overview of the Teachers’ Pension Plan, Canada Pension Plan, and Old Age Security and how these three pensions provide retirement income for teachers in Nova Scotia. This workshop/presentation will occur on November 1st, 2023 @ 6pm
Link: Retirement https://forms.gle/s3NoWy5PDoDYZ12s5
- Teachers and the Law-This presentation provides an overview of the teachers and the Law. This workshop/presentation will occur on November 7th, 2023 @ 6pm
Link: Teachers and the Law https://forms.gle/ACY85SL2hNB9o5vKA
There are more workshops/presentations coming soon.
Google Form for Resolutions and Submissions
Hello members, the Halifax County NSTU Local is looking for your resolutions, submissions, and ideas that you want changed, deleted or added so that they can present them in resolution form to Annual Council 2024. It is very easy, just complete the google form. Those who complete the form will receive a ballot for a Sobeys gift card draws for those who send in their ideas. If you wish to have you name entered into draws for Sobeys gift cards then please fill in your name (optional). Please us the link below or contact Turk Macdonald at tdmacdonald@nstu.ca
Google form link: https://forms.gle/tR932zjf344yPX7w9
The google form will close on Friday, November 3rd.
Many Thanks.
It is in your Provincial/Regional Agreement
Provincial
ARTICLE 39 DEFERRED SALARY LEAVE PLAN
39.01 A Deferred Salary Leave Plan as agreed by the Employer and the Union, Appendix B, shall be implemented.
39.02 The Employer shall be responsible for advising Education Entities of the details of the program.
39.03 The Union shall be responsible for advising the teachers of the details of the program.
39.04 The program shall not be amended except by mutual agreement of the Employer and the Union.
NSTU Benefits at a Glance
Early Intervention Program (EIP)
The Early Intervention Program (EIP) is a program for all NSTU members who are working or on paid sick leave and are experiencing illness or injury. The intent of the program is to provide encouragement, support and opportunity for active participation to facilitate early return to health and work or early application to disability benefits.
Participation in the program is voluntary and confidentiality is assured. NSTU members are encouraged to contact the EIP directly if they feel assistance is required or if they are at risk of disability.
Intervention may include telephone contact, assistance with coordinating health services (for example, physician, therapist, counsellor, chiropractor) or facilitation of a return-to-work plan. In the event a member is unable to return to work, he or she will be guided through the process of early application to disability benefits. Intervention services are provided by registered occupational therapists Leticia Richer and Maya Fallows.
In solidarity,
Shawn Hanifen