Dear Colleagues,

IIt is my pleasure to report to you about my performance over the last year as the proud President of the Association.
          We have continued to grow in status and in numbers. We now find ourselves to be one of the largest Units in OECTA throughout the Province and that has opened many doors for us. Even though there is a negative side to this in the form of jobs, which I will explain later.
          During the year, I have represented you on all of the Committees of the Board, thus having more or less the same status as TSU and TECT.
          I have brought to the attention of the Board, the size of the Occasional List (at which many Senior Staff were astounded). We are now 1,954 strong and Job scarcity continues to be problematic because it is being thwarted by the action of many Administrators and there reporting techniques. I have also pointed out on many occasions that illegal use of Students Supervisors, Educational Assistants and sometimes Uncertifieds continues to be a nemesis and will only lead to grievance action once again.
          I have attended all of the necessary meetings of OECTA where your representation is evident and I have reiterated that when actions are being taken and policies are being written, it is imperative that it must be done transparently and rules and guidelines must be clear to both full-time and Occasional Teachers. I have pointed out the importance of this because
          “Today’s Occasional, is tomorrow’s Full-time teacher!”
          TOTL has become an integral part of a Committees of Presidents which have met with the Appointed Ministry Supervisors and the Chair of the Trustees.
          I represented TOTL at the recent Canadian Labor Congress in Vancouver, where we saw some Resolutions pertinent to TOTL being passed, and where I got an opportunity to trumpet the importance of your Organization to many Canadian Labor Reps. Recently I attended an OTF sponsored all day meeting where the manner of Evaluation of your Pension situation was discussed.
          Very importantly, I am presently on a Committee at the Board which is writing a Policy on the New Technology involving Computers and their usage, Cell phones, Telephones and the new Portal. The Acceptable Use of all this technology is being discussed and written. This is a very important factor in your life as an Occasional and subsequently as a Full-time Teacher.
          As a member of the Steering and Roundtable Advisory Committee, I saw a change in the status of the NTIP Programme, where Occasional teachers on Long Term Assignments are now included in the Programme. It came with a fight.
          I attended the last Beginning Teachers Seminar, organized by OECTA, where I advocated for a change, so that more occasional teachers are to be included for selection.
          I have been invited to be part of the selection process for selecting a new Director of the Board to replace Ann Perron, through the interview process. Through all of these actions, I have been very ably supported by the Executive, which is one of the most efficient in all OECTA.
          Throughout year, as your President, I have met with Senior Staff regarding all your concerns surrounding working conditions, lack of work and negative/discipline letters.  Throughout these meetings, your executive, works towards bettering your collective agreement, through, memorandum of agreements.
          Since 1998, as your Vice President and now your President, I have been involved in 5 collective agreements.  The negotiating process, is not a simple one, I believe it requires an experienced, knowledgeable and dedicated team to achieve the best results for all teachers. Since 1998, the working conditions, benefits and remuneration have improved greatly.  No collective agreement is 100% perfect, however, we strive through each round of negotiations to better what is current.  WE HAVE NEVER CLAWED BACK ANY OF YOUR RIGHTS – NOR WILL I.
          I look forward to continuing and completing that which was begun. I look forward to your support for the next two years and an opportunity to complete what I started and to fulfill my dream of making TOTL a most viable Organization and one which offers the ultimate representation and lofty status of an Occasional Teacher
 
          In Solidarity,
          Felix Salazar, President