Hi everyone,
Hope everyone had a good weekend. Please note that there are some important announcements in this week’s Check-In on Cash for Classrooms (PD) and the election of a new local president this Spring (Nominations). Also below is information on OH&S as some members have reached out regarding the process.
Please make sure you exercise your right to a safe workplace. It is the employer’s duty have a safe workplace for employees. If it is not safe, it is their duty to make it so. This includes violence and harassment in the workplace.
To assist members there is a link to the OH&S page on the NSTU website, as well as the contact info for our NSTU staff officer/central NSTU; and the contact information for the Department of Labour for your OH&S specific questions. The OH&S Division are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to receive safety information and report unsafe workplace conditions.
While members are reminded that workplace safety is an individual right, members with questions are encouraged to contact our NSTU Staff Officer for advice and clarification on the OH&S process in their workplace. Our local’s NSTU staff officer is Wally Fiander ans he can be reached by email at wfiander@staff.nstu.ca or for immediate assistance please call the central NSTU at (902)477-5621 or toll free at 1-800565-6788 and ask to speak to either Wally or any NSTU staff officer in Member Services.
NS OH&S Division
1-800-9LABOUR: Workplace and technical safety information services
Call 1-800-9LABOUR if you see something unsafe or have questions about safety at work or in a public place in relation to technical equipment. The line is active 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
1-800-9LABOUR is an information line you can call to get safety information or to report a safety concern you see at work. You can also report safety concerns you see in public if they relate to technical equipment (like elevators and lifts, fuel equipment and cranes).
We’ll prioritize calls based on how serious and urgent the subject is. Calls that involve imminent danger or serious incidents will be given high priority.
If you’re calling about a workplace, you should follow the workplace’s internal safety protocols. This could mean talking to your supervisor or safety committee.
When you should call
You can call to request services, ask for information or report workplace health and safety issues or public space issues in relation to technical equipment. Examples of when to call include when:
- you or a co-worker is at risk of being hurt on the job, or has been hurt
- you’re reporting an injury on a piece of technical equipment in a public space (like an elevator, lift or amusement ride)
- you have questions about a Joint Occupational Health and Safety Committee, or need help starting one
- you have questions about safety or training in the workplace
- you have questions about licences, certificates or permits for technical equipment (including elevators, lifts and amusements, fuel safety, boiler and pressure vessel, power engineering and crane operators)
- you have questions about occupational health and safety, technical safety or the relevant acts and regulations
All calls are confidential. If you’re reporting an incident or concern, it’s helpful if you provide as much information as possible, including the 4 W’s: who was involved, what happened, when did it happen and where?
Contact
Safety Branch
Toll-free: 1-800-9LABOUR (1-800-952-2687)
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Meeting dates
The Halifax County Local General Meeting dates are as follows:
March 6
April 10
May 8
June 5
*Meetings are held at 6pm (5:30 supper) at the Legion in Lower Sackville.
PD Committee
Hello County!
The PD committee is excited to announce that Cash 4 Classrooms is back! This time, even better than before! Please follow the link below and see the attached poster for details. Cash 4 Classrooms is an opportunity for you to buy supplies or materials for your classroom/workspace and be reimbursed for up to $150. Please ensure you complete the Google Form completely and carefully, reading all the details and questions, as incomplete or incorrect forms could make you ineligible. Complete the Google Form by February 24, 2024!
Google Form Application Link: http://bit.ly/cash4class
Any questions or concerns, please reach out to halifaxcountypd@nstu.ca Thanks County!
All the best,
Your Hfx County Local PD Committee
Jonathon Sproul
Shelley Luddington
Nominations Committee
The Nominations Committee is now accepting nominations for president of Halifax County Local. Nominations can be submitted by completing the Google form at the following link:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc83rUctvzvYsgL8D7muXjVEobsVDDQ859AN9H5O2SilPh1bA/viewform
Nominations will close on Friday, February 9 at 4 pm.
It is in your Provincial/Regional Agreement
ARTICLE 37 ALCOHOLISM AND DRUG DEPENDENCY SUPPORT
37.01 Without detracting from the existing rights and obligations of the parties recognized in other provisions of this Agreement, the employer and the Union agree to cooperate in encouraging teachers who are alcohol or drug dependent to undergo a program directed to the objective of their rehabilitation.
37.02 (i) When job performance appears to be negatively affected by alcoholism or drug dependency, the Immediate Supervisor may refer the teacher to NSTU Counselling Services and/or After Hours Telephone Crisis Counselling and Referral Service. (ii) If job performance does not improve or shows continuing deterioration, the Immediate Supervisor may consult with Human Resources who shall refer the teacher to NSTU counselling services and/or After Hours Telephone Crisis Counselling and Referral Service. This is employer initiated, but participation is voluntary. The referral is to be in writing and is to be delivered confidentially to the teacher.
37.03 The employer’s concern with the teacher’s alcoholism or drug dependency shall be limited to its effects on the teacher’s job performance.
37.04 The teacher has the right to NSTU representation at any meeting called by the employer for this purpose.
NSTU Benefits at a Glance
Optional Critical Illness Insurance
Cost Sharing
Member Pays 100%
Coverage
- Units of $10,000 up to $50,000 with no medical evidence of insurability (proof of health)
- Additional amount available to a maximum of $300,000 medical evidence of insurability required (proof of health)
- Lump sum tax free payment if diagnosed with one of the eligible critical illnesses
- 29 Conditions covered for member & spouse
- 20 Conditions covered for dependent children
- Pre-existing conditions clause applies unless you submit a medical questionnaire and are approved for coverage
- Benefits not payable for any life-threatening cancer made within 90 days following effective date and if diagnosed with one of the covered illnesses, there is a 30 day survival period
- Covered until 75thbirthday for member and spouse. Dependent children covered until they are no longer eligible
Underwriters
Underwritten by Desjardins Financial
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