OPSEU Local 736 - "On The WaterFront" Volume 2, Issue 2 - September 21, 2007 Page 1 Message from the President As President of the local, I am sometimes put in difficult and uncomfortable situations. The issue of harassment and discrimination is one of those. This is especially true when it occurs between members. Harassment and Discrimination in the Workplace needs to STOP! Although it is the employer’s responsibility to ensure it stops, it is every union member’s responsibility to police their own behaviour and that of their friends and immediate co-workers before it escalates and the employer gets involved. The old saying "sticks and stones may break my bones but names will never hurt me" is RUBBISH! Little comments and names do hurt, whether the comment was intentional or unintentional. They lead to our members feeling belittled, unwelcome, unwanted and puts them under needless stress and anxiety. In some cases it leads to them being sick. We all need to THINK before we speak! We need to treat all our members with dignity and respect regardless of their race, ancestry, place or origin, colour, ethnic origin, citizenship, creed (religion), sex, sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, family status, same-sex status etc. We all know better -- we have all been to the mandatory WDHP training.   As some of you know, I have worked in the OPS for over 25 years. I have heard and seen a lot. I’ve heard a co-worker hang up the phone and say, “Why don't those damn %$#% just go back where they came from?” after a difficult phone call from a recent immigrant to Canada who was struggling with English. Meanwhile the person sitting in the next cubicle was also an immigrant. I’ve seen someone who has taken a different day off -- whether it is Ukrainian Christmas, Aboriginal Day or a Hindu holiday -- being exposed to comments from their co-worker, questioning their religion or how they participate in the holiday. I have never once been questioned whether I attend Church on Christmas Eve. Why would we expect an aboriginal person to have to attend a Pow Wow to be entitled to have Aboriginal Day off? I’ve heard comments made in regard to people’s sexual orientation that are very uncomfortable and hurtful. They are all inappropriate. We can do better. This is not about folks’ needing thicker skins. It is about being mindful of the diverse individuals around us. Together we must resolve, treat one another with the same respect that we all want and deserve. Sandra Snider, President Local 736 Resurrecting the Staff Association The ORG Staff Association is off and running. To date, we’ve held a persian and pop sale; just held our first 50/50 draw; and are in the middle of a food drive for the Shelter House. The food drive is a team challenge, where each team within the ORG in Thunder Bay is pitted against each other for the grand prize of a paid lunch for the team (manager too) compliments of the ORG Staff Association. The team who brings the most points in non-perishable food wins. Teams each choose one “captain” who tallies the points for the donations their team brings in. Once the food is “logged”, it is put in the donation bins. We donated 6 bins each week for the first 2 weeks and the Friday night delivery has now become an event of interest at the Shelter House. The challenge runs until October 4th, 2007. Additionally, Team Governmentals (the ORG Shelter House Relay Team), will be credited with points by the Shelter House for the Relay in 2008. (We want that trophy!) On September 22, 2007, the ORG Staff Association is in charge of the food drive at Safeway - Dawson Road for the Shelter House. Continued of page 5... Page 2 Self Funded Leaves This information is for all of you who intend to work for more then 5 years. This is a great opportunity for those people who want to take time off work, to venture into a trip or leave without financial difficulty. Just think how you can enjoy a year off work and still be paid while you are sitting back relaxing with loved ones or even on a beach in some warm climate. How this program works, is every pay cheque they will take 10 to 20 % of your pay and put it into financial institution for you. The form for the SFL can be downloaded from MyOPS. There's a whole policy paper on it somewhere and you can find it by searching in the Open HR site. Basically, all you have to do is fill out the form and send it up the line for ADRG signoff and then she will forward to the ADM and then to the DM. Deputy Minister's must sign off on all SFL applications. They reserve the right to not approve based on business decisions.  Basically, what the ORG management wants to know are the dates and duration intension. The minimum you can take off is 6 months and the maximum is 1year. 10% deductions will give you 6 months off with pay (i.e. your own savings) after 4 years of paying into the trust fund 20% deductions will give you 12 months off with pay (i.e. your own savings) after 4 years of paying into the trust fund 20% deductions will give you 6 months off with pay (i.e. your own savings) after 2 years of paying into the trust fund 20% deductions will give you 9 months off with pay (i.e. your own savings) after 3 years of paying into the trust fund About a month before your leave starts, begin working with HR and advise them it's coming up. There are forms to fill out that will indicate your start date of going off the payroll. You'll need to pay a small amount (around $20) to continue your benefits for the duration of the leave. Also, you'll need to contact the pension plan to advise them if you will make your pension contribution before, after, or during your leave. You can elect to not contribute to pension during the leave, but if you do, you lose that pension contribution time. Also, if you do not want to lose pension contribution time, you must pay both your portion and the employer's portion of the pension payments for the time away. This is an important decision. It's a lot of money. If you elect to pay the pension once you return, you'll have 90 days in which to pay it (both portions). There is some flex in when you actually start your leave of absence once you've saved up enough in the plan to cover the time off. You or your manager may wish to delay the start a month or two but generally it begins on time. Although it is technically possible to cancel, a SFL by not taking the time off, and instead taking the accumulated cash, you are advised to take your earned leave. If you take the cash and still continue working, you'll find yourself paying a lot of tax since the money is taxed in the year it is withdrawn. It's better to take the cash to support your leave of absence as the tax implications are nil. Depending on precisely when you want to start your leave of absence and how long it will be, there are other taxation tasks to keep in mind. For example, if you start your leave in September, as I did, the trust fund pays gives you a Sep-Dec payment up front with tax deducted already; usually you get it about two weeks after you have left. Then in January, you will get the next instalment. The trust fund withholds tax based on an estimate that I have found is typically lower than the reality come tax time. You'll get a T5 from the trust fund come spring for the tax year. “During my first SFL, I was out of the country during income tax filing time of year, so I found it prudent to pay revenue Canada post-dated cheques to put me in a credit situation come tax time. I would then file upon my return (after the due date) and therefore wouldn't have to pay any late penalty since they owed me money and not the reverse”. This information above was given by an individual who has done this type of leave, and enjoyed herself tremendously. For more information go to http://intra.hropenweb.gov.on.ca, call Ontario Shared Services Contact Centre at 416-326-9300 or 1-866-979-9300 or Collective Agreement Article 25.2 page 3 In September 2006, OPSEU 736 published their own website. This site is a wealth of knowledge and should be visited regularly by everyone. It is even available from home. The site provides employment opportunities and job postings (actual copy of the job posting) and copies of past and present ‘On the Waterfront’ newsletters. There are WEBforms to send suggestions to the executive as well as issues you wish to submit to LERC or Health and Safety committees. You can contact and e-mail stewards directly online or submit articles to be published in the newsletter or website. There many different forms provided such as the ‘James Watson Memorial Scholarship’ which can be printed or applied online. General meetings will be posted online as are other calendar events in the ‘Announcements’ pages. Copies of the Collective Agreement are available online as well as the Seasonal Agreement pay calendar. Pension and medical forms are available to print online under the “Publications” menu. Links of interest and support are posted and is important to members like you and me. A search feature has been included for quick navigation and browsing ease. There is even documents to help with PDLPs. Visit WWW.OPSEU736.ORG today!! Make a Difference this Holiday Season One of the greatest reasons to donate to charity is to help the less fortunate. Giving is a part of human nature and to make a difference in your own community can be such a wonderful feeling. Last year, members of OPSEU Local 736 did just that. You made a tremendous difference in the lives of the less fortunate and as this holiday season is fast approaching; we are asking for your assistance in doing it once again. We will be running a clothing drive again this fall. Socks, mittens, hats, clothing and jackets will be greatly accepted. We are also looking for toiletries such as toothpaste, toothbrushes and soap. These items will be made into “care bags” which will be distributed to the cliental at the Salvation Army located at 545 Cumberland Street North. Did you enjoy being a “Secret Santa” last year? Would like to do it again or get on board? Well here is your chance. We are seeking gift donations valued up to a maximum value of $25.00 for children ages 1-12. There are also some teenagers who attend this event as well. These gifts will be handed out by The Salvation Army at their “Dinner for the Needy” on December 16, 2007. Gifts must be of non-violence in nature and require no batteries to operate. All gifts are to be wrapped and labelled with a removable tag identifying the contents and the age range. Example: Barbie Doll/Girl/Age 4-8. Deadline for donations is December 12, 2007. All information will be posted on our boards as well. As an added bonus, all “Secret Santa” contributors will have their names placed in a draw for a gift certificate from a local restaurant. “Join us once again in putting a smile of the face of a child this holiday season.” Thank you! Sandy Symons Page 4 WANTED WANTED Stewards are needed at the Ministry of Training Colleges and Universities and Office of the Registrar General—Mountdale site. Please provide your name to a Local Executive member or confidentially submit your name at www.opseu736.org in the Stewards WEBform. ‘On the Waterfront’ Newsletter committee is looking for staff from Ministry of Training Colleges and Universities and Office of the Registrar General—Mountdale site to join the team. All staff are encouraged to submit articles, news, announcements, special mentions, artwork or photographs to be profiled and published in the newsletter, website or both. If you have questions or suggestions request etc — please contact a local executive member—or please submit your name with the article / suggestion online via the www.opseu736.org website. OPSEU Convention 2007 - An Observer's Eye View At the 2007 Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU) Convention this past April 19th - 21st, I had the opportunity to participate as an Observer. I did not have the privilege to vote but I did have the privilege to observe, listen and learn the official convention protocol. There were various presentations and elections for Committees such as the Constitutional Committee and the Resolutions Committee. These Committees’ proposed amendments and gave the Convention delegates an opportunity to vote on the issues discussed. Topics included the budget, education, health and safety and various expenditures just to name a few. There were over 1500 Brothers and Sisters at the Convention. During the course of the convention, OPSEU developed and adopted a new Value Statement for all of us to practice. There were several awards presented including the Human Rights Award, the Health and Safety Award and an Honorary Life Membership Award just to name a few. One of the most exciting events was observing the election procedure of our new OPSEU President, Warren “Smokey” Thomas. Another exciting and emotional event was the retirement & farewell speech made by our outgoing President Leah Casselman who held her position for the past 12 years. Leah’s speech highlighted all of her exciting moments and history with OPSEU. We should be very proud of our Local 736 President, Sandra Snider, who along with Brenda Clapp and James Tocker, were elected as Members of the Executive Board of Region 7. OPSEU President Leah Casselman presented outgoing Executive Members Joe Catroppa and John O’Brien with plaques for all of their hard work and service over the years. All in all, the 2007 OPSEU Convention was very educational and informative during all 3 days. I would like to thank our Local for giving me the privilege of attending the 2007 OPSEU Convention. Leeann Cherwonick, Local 736 Page 5 Resurrecting the Staff Association … continued from page 1. All donations at the store that day from 9-6 will also count towards Team Governmentals point total. A letter from the ORG Staff Association requesting help with the Christmas parade was hand delivered to Bob Stark. We haven’t received an answer yet, but he was happy we exist so just maybe…… Memberships are available at any time. We have our very own bulletin board, perfectly placed in the hallway through which almost everyone must pass. Signs of upcoming events will always be up. News about the Halloween party will be posted soon, tickets for the Christmas dance and New Year’s Eve dance will be up for sale, and more events are in the works – DISCOUNTS, DISCOUNTS - if you’ve got a membership! Heather Moffitt, President, ORG Staff Association Governmentals The 2007 Shelter House relay was a great success, raising over $100,000 for people in need in our community. Stepping aside from the norm of corporate relays, this year the organizers decided on a fun 12 hour relay consisting of different events suited for every member of the family. With our team Captain Heather Moffitt leading the way, team Governmentals pulled, ran and tossed our way to an amazing 3rd place overall! We won a variety of trophies in events including Air Band, bocce ball, chariot race and snowshoe race. The air band team rocked the camp with their version of Guns and Rose’s “Welcome to the Jungle”. We participated in all the activities throughout the day, as well as maintained our decorated cabin with spirit. Together our team put the OPS on the board with winning attitudes and good sportsmanship. The day was a huge success, truly showcasing what we can achieve if we all come together. As the team Governmentals left that evening, we made a promise to return again next year “bigger and better”. Please see any steward or Staff Association member if you would like to participate next year! Additional photos can be seen on our website www.opseu736.org. Rachel Brown, Steward Local 736 Page 6 James Watson Memorial scholarship The OPSEU Local 736 scholarship review committee is now taking submissions / applications for the ‘James Watson Memorial Scholarship’. This is a scholarship for $500.00 and is awarded to eligible applicants that are a child, sibling, grandchild, niece / nephew, aunt /uncle or grandparent of a member in good standing of OPSEU Local 736 and is entering or currently attending full-time, a post-secondary educational institute. Proof of enrollment / tuition is needed to verify enrollment in post secondary education. The deadline for submitting applications is December 15, 2007 by 11:59pm to any local executive member or submitting it through the Scholarship online WEBform at www.opseu736.org. Last year’s successful ‘JWM Scholarship’ applicant was Chantell Robere and received the $500.00. Congratulations again! For more information— please visit WWW.OPSEU736.ORG. A.E.D Program The Minister of Government Services, Hon. Gerry Phillips, made an announcement on Friday, May 25, 2007 about installation of defibrillators in government-owned buildings across the province. The province is installing hundreds of life-saving heart defibrillators at government buildings around Ontario, including four of them at the Government Building at 189 Red River Road in Thunder Bay. The Hon. Gerry Phillips was joined by Michael Gravelle, MPP, Thunder Bay-Superior North and Bill Mauro, MPP, Thunder Bay-Atikokan with approximately 15 trained responders from various ministries located at 189 Red River Road. Cardiovascular disease is the number one cause of death in Canada. Although its incidence has declined over the years, many preventable deaths still occur. Unfortunately, almost half the individuals who suffer a heart attack die before being admitted. The Ontario government is moving forward with its commitment to improve health and safety in provincial buildings by installing life-saving portable heart defibrillators. “Portable heart defibrillators save lives. Already two lives have been saved – one member of the public and one government employee. One day we hope to see (defibrillators) in various locations in much the same way as we see fire extinguishers.” Fern Dumas, MTCU Contact Information Wanted! As you are aware, due to privacy, our employer does not inform our local of any changes/additions you have made to your contact information. In order to keep our records up-to-date, you will be receiving a contact information form in the mail. It is our hope that those who have email addresses at home will supply them so we may send information to you directly as opposed to using your email addresses in the workplace. Please complete the form and return via mail to the address listed on the bottom of the form or turn in your completed form to any Union Steward. Your cooperation in this matter is greatly appreciated. Should you have any questions, please do hesitate to contact me anytime. Thank you! Sandy Symons, Local 736 Secretary