Collective Agreement
As a local union for teachers, our first concern must always be with protecting teachers’ rights as they are outlined in the Collective Agreement and improving the Collective Agreement in upcoming negotiations. The collective rights of teachers are our priority and we often defend these by ensuring that HR does follow the stipulations in the Collective Agreement in all scenarios, from hiring procedures, teacher autonomy, healthy work environment and also in disciplinary measures. Disagreements about interpretation of the Collective Agreement may arise, and this is when we take the matter to arbitration.
Positive Influence
Beyond the Collective Agreement, however, we also aim to influence the Administration to act in the interest of teachers, for instance following procedures that respect teachers as professionals and make them feel respected, from providing good working conditions, an inspiring work environment and promoting collegiality with faculty, support and professional staff.
Education
We also keep in mind the importance of educating our members about local, provincial and even global issues that affect teachers. We want our teachers to be well informed as we seek their advice throughout the year, for example in General Assemblies, and as we may ask for participation in events, e.g. rallies. Furthermore, we think that as a union it is our duty to bring the larger context to our members. In this regard, we work to inform teachers about political decisions and policy that directly and indirectly affect teachers: policy on higher education as well as workers’ rights and economic inequality.