STRIKE VOTE

 MARCH 3, 4, 5 & 6, 2014

* Voting will be available at the PRNTA Office on:

       March 3 from 8:30 – 6:00 (Advance Poll)

       March 4, 5, 6 from 8:30 – 4:30

* Voting will be available at each work site at recess, lunch and after school.  Location TBD by your Staff Rep.

* Voting at Upper Halfway, Wonowon, Buick Creek schools and Aboriginal Education Centre on Tuesday, March 4, 2014

Michele Wiebe, President

Know Your Collective Agreement!

One way PRNTA members can ensure that they are aware of their rights is to know their Collective Agreement (CA).  

Please select the Collective Agreement tab and read an overview of how our CA regulates the terms and conditions of members in our workplaces, our duties and the duties of our employer.

The initial editions outline our contract language around the many types of Leaves of Absence contained in Section G.

Long Term Disability Plan Withdrawal

Are you factor 88 or 65 years of age?

If you are, then you can save approximately 1.2% of your salary!

Why, you ask?

Members are no longer entitled to long term disability benefits under the BCTF Salary Indemnity Plan (SIP) once they hit Factor 90 (age plus cumulative service) or age 65.

How and when a member can apply to withdraw:

A member who has attained age 64, has reached the Factor 88, or is in receipt of a retirement pension under a registered pension plan, may voluntarily withdraw from the long term section of the plan. 

Withdrawal may be made during any school year in which one of the foregoing conditions has been met and upon the completion of the appropriate withdrawal form (obtained from the plan administrator).  Withdrawal will be effective, upon approval, in September for applications submitted in that month, and applications submitted later will be effective the month following approval of the application.

Note:  Before you complete the application, you should ensure that in the event of a serious illness or accident you have sufficient accumulated sick leave which combined with the 120 days of benefit from the SIP short term plan, will protect your salary until the end of the month when you hit “Factor 90” or the end of the month when you attain age 65, whichever comes first.

Applications are available on-line at:

www.bctf.ca/uploadedFiles/Public/SalaryBenefits/SIP/LT-withdrawalForm.pdf

or call the BCTF Income Security Division toll free: 1-800-663-9163

If you have any questions about Long Term Disability Plan withdrawal please contact Michele Wiebe, President Peace River North Teachers’ Association.

 

 

Wishing you all the best in 2014!

Michele and I hope that you begin this new year well-rested and ready to return to teaching.  

Please remember that a work-life balance is crucial to good health!!  

Wishing you and your loved ones a happy and safe Winter Break!  

We hope that you will return in the New Year feeling rested and rejuvenated!

All the best,

Michele

and Mary

         Know your Local Collective Agreement (CA)

Section G – LEAVES OF ABSENCE (pp 68 – 76)

Section G governs the rules around teacher absence from school.  Leaves include:

Ø  Portability of Sick Leave

Ø  Compassionate Care Leave

Ø  Deferred Salary Leave Plan

Ø  Sick Leave

Ø  Personal Leave

Ø  Workers’ Compensation/Injury on Duty

Ø  Serious Illness

Ø  Leave of Absence for Non-Elective Treatment of Minor Dependents

Ø  Bereavement Leave

Ø  Maternity Leave

Ø  Supplemental Employment Benefits on Maternity Leave

Ø  Paternity Leave

Ø  Parental Leave for Fathers

Ø  Adoption Leave

Ø  Marriage or Attendance at Weddings

Ø  Leave of Absence for Political Purposes

Ø  Jury Duty and Summons to Legal Proceedings

Ø  Early Retirement Incentive Plan

Ø  Educational Leave

FAQs about leaves:

Personal Leave (G.22) – teachers receive 1 personal leave day when they have a bank of 50 sick days, 2 when they have 90 days.  50% of unused leave in a year (minimum .5 of a day) will be carried forward to your bank to a maximum of 10 days.  Remember: a Teacher Request for Leave form must be completed and approved prior to the leave.

Bereavement Leave (G.26) – teachers receive 5 days paid leave on the death of a family member and ½ day to attend a friend or distant family member’s funeral.  Additional unpaid leave may be granted for additional days or for travel. 

Did you know? Language can differ between our Local and Provincial contracts – superior language prevails!  For example, the Provincial CA contains possible provision for an additional 2 days paid leave for travel. Please contact Michele for further information or help regarding leaves!  

Please go to www.prntalocal60.ca for CA information.

Welcome back!

 As we begin a new school year, Mary Tremain (PRNTA, Vice-President) and I (Michele Wiebe, PRNTA President) want to wish you a successful year. 

While there are uncertainties in how the collective bargaining process will play out with the government, we are certain that Peace River North teachers will stand firm with the BCTF and CUPE so that fairly bargained collective agreements are reached for both of our unions. 

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact me at lp60@bctf.ca, by phone 250-785-8881 (PRNTA office) or 250-262-4205 (cell).

All the best in 2013-2014!

Michele and Mary