Hi everyone,
Hope the time change on the weekend treated you well, I know I woke up early each morning since. Just a brief Check-In with some announcements for our upcoming meeting dates, ERIP deadline and the EEE Summit. Also a reminder our next Local Meeting is Wednesday, November 22nd at 6pm (supper at 5:30) at the Legion in Lower Sackville at 45 Sackville Cross Rd., Lower Sackville. Resolutions to Council will be heard and voted on at that meeting. As many have Parent Teacher scheduled on the evening of the 22nd, there will be a Zoom update for those with PT interviews on Thursday the 23rd at 6pm for questions around reports and any Rep questions. A link for that will be sent to Reps at the same time as the local meeting agenda.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Meeting dates
The Halifax County Local General Meeting dates are as follows:
November 22 ( Please note a Zoom link will be sent for the 23rd at 6pm for those with Parent Teacher on the 22nd for questions on reports and any Rep concerns)
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)
EEE Summit
Please note we have our three attendees and are compiling a waitlist in case other local do not utilize their spaces. The local will send as many participants as permitted (spaces left from other locals) to this valuable Summit to maximize engagement for our members. The EEE Summitt is an opportunity for Indigenous, Black and racialized members from our local to engage with our Union and to have their voice heard and amplified by continuing to build equity, diversity, and inclusion within the NSTU. For more information, please contact Wendie wwilson@staff.nstu.ca
The conference will start on Friday evening (December 15th) at 6:30pm with registration and a dinner; and will continue Saturday (December 16th) 8am to 12pm with breakfast included. The Summit will take place at the Hotel Halifax (1990 Barrington St). Hotel accommodations for the evening of December 15th, meals and milage will be covered.
The local may send up to three (3) members and if other locals do not utilize their available spots there may be the opportunity for the local to send more of our members due to this the local would like members to submit their names by November 9th by 4pm. if additional spots open members on the waitlist will be contacted. Please share with any members at your school site that may be interested in this event. members who are interested can email halifaxcountylocal@nstu.ca with their name and school/site.
It is in your Provincial/Regional Agreement
Provincial
ARTICLE 6 RESPECTFUL WORKPLACE AND LEARNING ENVIRONMENT
6.01 Neither the Employer nor Education Entity nor any person acting on behalf of the Employer or Education Entity shall refuse to employ or to continue to employ any teacher or otherwise discriminate against any teacher in regard to employment or any term or condition of employment because the teacher is or was a member of the Union or is or was exercising any right under this Agreement, or Local Agreement, or the Teachers’ Collective Bargaining Act.
6.02 Neither the Employer nor Education Entity nor any person acting on behalf of the Employer or Education Entity shall seek by intimidation, by threat of dismissal, or any other kind of threat, by the imposition of a pecuniary or other penalty or by any other means to compel a teacher to refrain from exercising any right under this Agreement, or Local Agreement, or the Teachers’ Collective Bargaining Act.
6.03 Neither the Employer nor Education Entity nor any person acting on behalf of the Employer or Education Entity shall discriminate against any teacher on the basis of the prohibited grounds as set out under the Nova Scotia Human Rights Act.
6.04 A teacher’s level of teaching certificate or place of residence shall not be just cause for discharge, termination of contract, or phase-out pursuant to 20.05 (ii) (b) of Article 20 Tenure.
6.05 The Union and the Employer recognize the responsibility of Education Entity to establish a policy for the protection of teachers from harassment and abuse pursuant to the Education Act
Teachers’ Provincial Agreement 2015-2019 (windows.net)
Additionally, the employer has a Respectful Workplace Program for all employees. Members may also wish to reach out to their NSTU staff officer, Wally Fiander, as NSTU staff can assist members in navigating the process and provide assistance to your specific concern.
Respectful Workplaces | Halifax Regional Centre for Education (hrce.ca)
NSTU Benefits at a Glance
Over-Age Dependents
Coverage
NSTU Total Care Medical/Dental Program provides coverage for eligible members, their spouses and dependent children to the age of 21, if unmarried and dependent upon the member for maintenance and support. NSTU Group Insurance is supplemental to Provincially Sponsored Medical Plans.
Coverage extended to age 27, if the child is attending an institution of higher learning on a full-time basis, unmarried and dependent upon the member for maintenance and support.
Definitions
“Dependent Children” means either natural children (legitimate or illegitimate), adopted children, or stepchildren of the member who are:
- under 21 years of age, unmarried and dependent upon you for maintenance and support; or
- under 27 years of age and unmarried and in attendance* at an institution of higher learning and dependent upon you for maintenance and support; or
- any functionally impaired child may remain insured past the maximum age. The child, upon reaching the maximum age, must still be incapable of self-sustaining employment and be completely dependent on you for support and maintenance.
“Over-age Dependents” – On your dependent’s 21st birthday you must provide Johnson Inc. proof of full-time attendance at a post-secondary educational institution.
Requirements
All dependent children between the ages of 21 and 27 attending an institution of higher learning must provide Johnson Inc. each September with proof of full-time attendance at a post–secondary educational institution.
Proof must clearly indicate your over-age dependent’s name, full-time status and the semester they are attending.
Please forward one of the following examples of adequate proof of overage dependent status:
- invoice of tuition paid confirming full-time status
- a letter from the school confirming full-time status (any associated
charges are your responsibility) - timetable of courses confirming full-time status
Indicate on proof of full-time status, your name plus professional number.
On-line learning reviewed on an individual basis*.
If your over-age dependent discontinues enrolment in a formal education program or graduates, you must notify Johnson Inc. immediately to terminate over-age coverage.
Claims for “Over-Age Dependent” children cannot be processed by Medavie Blue Cross until the “Over-Age Dependent” is registered with Johnson Inc.
Your over-age dependent can use your benefit card. An additional card can be issued upon your request.
Insured dependents who reside outside of the Atlantic Provinces may be required to submit expenses for reimbursement.
Contact
If you have any questions regarding the above, please call the Administrator, Johnson Inc., at 453-9543 or 1-800-453-9543 (toll-free).
email: insurance@nstu.ca or nstu@johnson.ca
Visit the Johnson Inc. website: www.johnson.ca
Have a great week,
Shawn Hanifen
Local President