OSSTF News + Publications

OSSTF has several awards to recognize the outstanding contributions of its Members. The deadline for nominations for many of the provincial awards is January 31. All of the awards and the details are listed here.

Below are the awards with a deadline of January 31.

• André Lécuyer Award  
• Bob Brooks Award 
• Comité des services en langue française Award 
• Communication Award  
• Environmental Award   
• James Forster Human Rights Award 
• Jennifer MacLean Health and Safety Award 
• John McNeil Award 
• Kelly Ann McKenzie Award 
• The Liz Barkley Status of Women Award 
• Nancy Warrener Award 
• Norm Snyder Award 
• Political Action Award — In honour of Wendell Fulton and Larry French 

Throughout Covid, OSSTF has been offering online workshops for pension planning and  retirement. It is never too early to start learning about financial strategies for retirement. Webinars are about 75 min long and there are opportunities for questions of the presenters.

You can register for an OTPP (Teachers) Pension Webinar using one of the links below.

• Tuesday, February 15, 2022 - 5:00-6:15 pm
• Tuesday, May 24, 2022 - 4:30-5:45 pm

You can register for an OMERS Pension Webinar using one of the links below.

• Wednesday, February 16, 2022 - 5:30-6:45 pm
• Saturday, May 14, 2022 - 10:00-11:15 am 
• Tuesday, May 31, 2022 - 6:00-7:15 pm (French) 

Please follow this link (View System Requirements) and go to the Join Webcast webinar section to make sure you are meeting the minimum requirements so you can attend a webinar from anywhere, anytime using a compatible device and you are able to participate without technical difficulties.

You will receive a calendar invite and a confirmation email with the specific link to the webinar you have chosen. A couple of email reminders for the webinar you signed up for will also be sent to you about 24 hours and one hour before the start of the session.

•  OSSTF, ETFO, and OECTA have made a joint statement that they have individually filed constitutional challenges against the Ontario government’s Bill 254, Protecting Ontario Elections Act, 2021.  Please find the full statement here.  

•  Canada’s unions are marking the National Day of Mourning - April 28 - by calling attention to the human cost of the COVID-19 pandemic. 
• Learn more and take action here.

• The Provincial Executive is seeking to fill two vacancies on the Environmental Advisory Work Group (EAWG) for a three-year term.
• The role of the EAWG is to advise the Provincial Executive on any matters related to environmental issues within the Federation and any other matters that may be referred to it by the Provincial Executive. If you are interested in applying, please contact us or see the D/BU (District/Bargaining Unit) Memo #195 on the Member-only website for more information.

•  We must do everything possible to elect an education-friendly provincial  government, opposition, and school board trustees in 2022. A strong education platform that includes member input will be crucial as we prepare for the next provincial and municipal elections.
• Using this consultation form, please share your ideas, and priorities that you would like included in the 2022 OSSTF/FEESO Election Platform. 
• Please note that a Member ID and password are needed for the OSSTF Member-only website in order to access the form.
•  This consultation will be open until Sunday April 9 2021, at 11:59 pm. 

• OSSTF has launched a campaign to educate the public about what hybrid learning means, illustrating the challenges it creates for educators who must give their attention to students both in the classroom and online at the same time.
• Please use share the Here For Students webpage with tools to take action. 
• Check out and share the social media posts on Twitter: @hereforstudents  and Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hereforstudents

The Queen's Faculty of  Education is running an "Every Scholar" program, which is designed as a lifelong learning program for retirees in the Kingston community.  As part of a community initiative, this live-online program using Zoom will be completely free for individuals interested in participating.

Registration is open for a Health Sciences course, “Health 101”, beginning on November 13. 

More information can be found here: https://pros.educ.queensu.ca/courses/category/27

If you have questions about the course, please contact professionalstudies@queensu.ca

• Please visit this link regarding an opportunity for members and their students to get involved in an international project related to the environment and climate change. The project is free and will be launched in October 2020. 

• Covid-19 Updates are available on the secure Member website (login required).

• Reports found here