The Vanier College Teachers’ Association
News Bulletin #3-2021/2022, October 20, 2021
Occupational Health and Safety Week – October 17 to 23
In education, OHS issues are not always as visible as in other settings, but they are no less important. We have reached out to the administration on the importance of hiring a Respect Works Advisor, communicating the location of known Covid19 cases, concerns regarding possible exposure to asbestos, and to restart the office ergonomics project.
Demonstration for 410 and 412 – Wednesday, October 20th (1:15 pm)
Today at 1:15pm, a demonstration will take place in front of the Office for the Ministry of Higher Education located on 600 Fullum Street in Montréal, H2K 3L6.
Come and support our Business Administration (410) and Micromedia (412) colleagues to oppose the plans that the government has for these programs.
Professional Development Deadlines
The deadline to submit Expense Reports for professional development activities from 2020-2021 is October 31st. Paper forms are available at the VCTA office (C-101), and electronic forms can be found here:
https://www.thevcta.qc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/VCTA-PD-Expense-Report.pdf
Seniority List
Last Friday, the unofficial seniority list was sent to all teachers. Please take a moment to check that the information is correct. If there are any inaccuracies or errors in the unofficial list, please report them to Human Resources, via email, with the VCTA cc’d. The deadline to report any errors to Human Resources is November 11, 2021.
Remuneration for Cont.Ed Teachers Participating in Mandatory Training Sessions
At the September 30th CRT, the College stated that Cont.Ed teachers would be compensated for their time spent in attending training sessions considered mandatory by the College.
Precise details were not given at this CRT, but we will keep you updated with the latest news and developments on this front.
Principe de Joyce Petition
Taking Action on Systemic Racism in College Education in Quebec: An Indigenous Focus
We encourage everybody to sign the petition at the following link to demand that governments, our employers and unions “commit to working with Indigenous Peoples to fulfill Section 4 of Joyce’s Principle, and the relevant calls to action of the Viens Commission.”
White Poppy Campaign
The white poppy campaign was started to encourage Canadians to broaden their Remembrance Day focus to include the civilians who now make up 90% of conflict victims; to challenge the beliefs, values and institutions that make war seem inevitable; and to urge our government to promote and fund effective non-military means of dispute resolution. For more information about this campaign, visit: https://echecalaguerre.org/
You are also invited to sign the declaration: en cliquant sur ce lien.
Come to the VCTA office to get a card that explains the campaign and to pick up a white poppy at the same time. Red poppies, as usual, should be available throughout the college – for example, in the printshop.
INFO-INSURANCE # 31
There will be several changes to our health & travel insurance for 2022.
Changes to health insurance premiums:
• 3.5% increase for Health Insurance
• 5% increase for Dental Care (dental care options now available to Plan A carriers)
• 5% decrease for Life Insurance + 50% premium holiday
• 5% decrease for Short Term Disability salary insurance
• 10% decrease for Long Term Disability salary insurance
• The Couples category will be phased out & merged with the Family category over the next 4 years. (couples can shift to individual coverage)
→ See the attached document for exact amounts to be deducted at each pay period.
Changes to Travel insurance
→See page 7 and 8 of the attached document as several changes relate to Covid19 advisories from the Ministry of Health.
The VCTA had not signed on for the Schedule IV coverage for non-tenured teachers. We have an Association Council sub-committee who will look into the possibility of this for the future.
News on La Capitale
Our insurance provider, La Capitale, has merged with SSQ insurance to form Beneva.
Upcoming Events
October 22, 1:30 pm, F216 – Academic Council
October 28, 1:30 pm, F216 – Association Council