Seniority Lists
Please be sure to verify your seniority in the unofficial seniority lists sent out by the College Oct. 15 (here attached). You only have 20 working days (i.e. by Nov. 9) to inform the Administration so as to have a correction made before the seniority lists become official.
- Verify it right away!
College employee satisfaction survey
We all received the results of the College survey Sept. 27. While it may be beneficial to track employee satisfaction, it may only be beneficial for the college as a whole if this information is presented as accurately as possible. Several teachers noted that there was not an option if one did not have an opinion on a particular question. We are also hoping that, in the future, the results will respect the individual categories, instead of lumping all together three (satisfactory, good, and very good) which skews the data.
Negotiations 2020
Preparations for our upcoming contract negotiations are already underway! Your Exec was in Quebec City Oct. 16-18 to take part in many workshops that highlighted relevant issues for public service workers in the four federations of CSN (Confédération des syndicats nationaux): namely the FNEEQ (CEGEP teachers), FSSS (healthcare and social service workers), FP (professionals), and FEESP (public service employees). Of particular interest were debates on the Common Front (advantages and disadvantages of joining together), salary demands (cost of living increases and/or recouping cost of living losses); mobilization and media/social media strategies.
- We will be consulting with you at upcoming General Assemblies in order to bring a detailed VCTA position on these and other issues. Be sure to take part in these discussions to help determine our nego success!
We also voted for the next communication officer and negotiation team for FNEEQ:
- Mobilization: Sebastien Manka (Montmorency)
- Negotiation: Anne-Marie Bélanger (Joliette), Luc Vandal (Shawinigan), Phil Lagogiannis (Dawson), Josée Delziel (Ahuntsic)
The Vanier Colour Palette: Teacher Offices
It was way back in November of 2016 that we first brought to your attention the new restrictions in the Vanier Colour Palette for teachers’ offices: three walls to be a pale grey, one accent wall (from six options in the Vanier Colour Palette). Unsurprisingly, many teachers voiced their disappointment to us about the colour restrictions. After all, colour choice reflects respect for employees’ autonomy in their workspace and this is what we have been trying to communicate to the Admin!
The DG agreed in January 2017 to consider adding two preferences of teachers, and we solicited your opinions on additional colours. This survey produced the following top two results: Blue (SICO 6022-41); Light Green (SICO 6168-38). The DG also informed us that up to two walls could be painted in an accent colour. Lise Begin, Director of Facilities at the time, later decided to the contrary that neither these colour choices nor a second accent wall would be taken into consideration.
In 2017-18, in order to emphasize the importance of colour and choice for employee morale, the VCTA Exec repeatedly undertook talks with the Admin on behalf of teachers. In October 2018 the Exec was informed that three teachers’ choices would be added (our third choice, mauve), two accent colours from the palette removed, but that only one wall could be painted in the accent colour because of “operational purposes,” meaning “cost, inventory and standards.” The DG agreed, however, to review the decision regarding the number of walls for the accent colour in 2 years.
The upshot?
- Teachers may request a paint job by the end of term in December in order to choose the added colours (see below) for painting in the summer.
- We are allowed one accent wall.
- Grey and red, the brand colours of Vanier, have been removed, but are available as long as the present stock remains.
IRIS Institute de recherche et d’informations socio-économiques
IRIS, a non-profit research institute, produces the bulletin Fractures (in French) and it is available in the union lounge. This is a great resource for information on socio-economic pressures, the environment and our education. The latest issue, for example, discusses austerity, the CAQ and the effects of the vast increase of students with special needs. While Fractures only contains summaries of a few articles, you may check out their website for a wider and fuller selection.
- Give it a gander! https://iris-recherche.qc.ca/publications
Long Term Disability
Recently hired teachers, please be reminded that you are eligible for long term disability. You must declare your interest when you are asked if you want to join long term disability insurance at the issuing of your first three contracts. You will have the opportunity again when major life events occur, e.g. childbirth, marriage, divorce. If you decline these instances, then you will get long term disability automatically when you get tenure.