Thursday 19 December 2013

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

Tuesday 3 December 2013


         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.

Thursday 5 September 2013

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

Thursday 27 June 2013

Michele and I want to take this opportunity to wish PRN teachers a happy summer break!  This has been a long and eventful school year and everyone deserves some R & R!  Safe travels for those of you who are off on adventures!  

We look forward to seeing you in September!

Michele Wiebe and Mary Tremain

Monday 6 May 2013

The PRNTA recently submitted three questions to local MLA candidates - as soon as we receive their answers we will post the results:

Questions for Peace River North MLA candidates respectfully submitted on behalf of the Peace River North Teachers’ Association.

It is our intention to circulate these questions, and your answers, to PRN teachers. The PRNTA asks that you respond to these questions in writing to ensure that local teachers understand your position on these critical issues.

Children in poverty and the working poor:
1.  BC ranks high in the numbers of children living in poverty.  Low wages, high cost-of-living and child-care are factors that contribute to the dire situation in which many of our families live.  If you are elected, what will you do to change this?

Special education support:
2.  The need for special education programs is increasing but provincial funding is frozen or is being reduced.  Classroom teachers are asked to provide instruction to students with diverse learning needs but are receiving fewer supports and resources. The clear message is ‘do more with less’.  If you are elected, what will you do to change this?

Teacher collective bargaining:
3.  PRN teachers want a fair, negotiated contract.  The restrictions the government has placed on the bargaining process ensure that we will not have a contract that respects teachers and meets our needs.  If you are elected, what will you do to change this?

Please remember to get out and vote!

Advance voting places
You can vote at any advance voting place Wednesday, May 8 - Saturday, May 11, 2013 - between 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Advance voting is available to all voters and all advance voting places are wheelchair accessible.

Advance voting places are:
Taylor Comm Hall, 9896 W Cherry Ave, Taylor Wheelchair Accessible
Pearkes Centre, 10801 Dudley Dr, Hudson's Hope Wheelchair Accessible
Pomeroy Sports Centre, 9324 96 St, Fort St. John Wheelchair Accessible
General Voting Day is Tuesday, May 14, 2013 - between 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Pacific time.

General voting places
Taylor Comm Hall, 9896 W Cherry Ave, Taylor Wheelchair Accessible
Hudson's Hope Comm Hall, 10310 Kyllo St, Hudson's Hope Wheelchair Accessible
Prespatou Elem/Sec School, 22113 Triad Rd, Prespatou Wheelchair Accessible
Fort St. John Seniors Hall, 10908 100 St, Fort St. John Wheelchair Accessible
Rose Prairie Curling Rink, 7077 260 Rd, Rose Prairie Wheelchair Accessible
Baldonnel Elem School, 5836 Baldonnel Rd, Baldonnel Wheelchair Accessible
Montney Rec Hall, 12401 Rd 256, Montney Wheelchair Accessible
Cecil Lake Comm Hall, 4864 Cecil Lake Rd, Cecil Lake Wheelchair Accessible
Buick Comm Hall, 15288 Rodeo Rd, Buick Wheelchair Accessible
Pomeroy Hotel, 11308 Alaska Rd N, Fort St. John Wheelchair Accessible
Charlie Lake Comm Hall, 12717 Charlie L Hall Ave, Charlie Lake Wheelchair Accessible
Pomeroy Sports Centre, 9324 96 St, Fort St. John Wheelchair Accessible
Wonowon Elem School, MILE 101 Alaska Hwy, Wonowon Wheelchair Accessible




Tuesday 30 April 2013

2013 PRNTA AGM

NOTICE

Peace River North Teachers’ Association
Annual General Meeting

Tuesday, May 7, 2013

TIME:               6:30pm

PLACE:           Legion Hall

LOCATED AT: 10103 - 105th Avenue
Fort St. John
(enter using parking lot side doors)

Agenda items:
·      Glen Hansman, BCTF 1st Vice-President will present information on Provincial Bargaining
·      Election of Executive positions
·      Executive reports                                         

Michele Wiebe
PRNTA President