What types of evaluation processes are struck under the Phase 2 Work-to-Rule (WTR) Strike Protocol?
Evaluation processes that are struck under the Phase 2 WTR Strike Protocol include: the Teacher Performance Appraisal Process, occasional teacher/long-term occasional (LTO) teacher evaluation processes, the DECE Performance Appraisal Process and any other evaluation process for teachers, occasional teachers and education workers.
I am in an LTO teaching position and I am in the process of being evaluated. Is the LTO evaluation process considered struck work for me?
Yes, it is struck work under the Phase 2 WTR Strike Protocol.
An occasional teacher in an LTO who has completed an assignment of four months or longer and does not have an LTO evaluation, but who meets the other criteria set out in Regulation 274, should not be denied the opportunity to apply to permanent positions. Members who believe they have been denied the opportunity to interview for a permanent position because they do not have an evaluation should contact their ETFO local office.
Is NTIP considered to be struck work under the Phase 2 WTR Strike Protocol?
New members and mentors should continue to participate in the NTIP program.
Members who are on a school board’s NTIP Steering Committee would not be able to participate in Steering Committee meetings because attending committee meetings is struck work.
If I choose, can I purchase supplies and materials to use in my classroom on my own time?
Yes, members may purchase supplies and materials for use in their classrooms, if they choose. However, a request or direction from an administrator/supervisor to purchase supplies and materials for a school-based initiative would be considered struck work.
Can I attend meetings with parents outside of the instructional day during the Phase 2 WTR Strike Protocol?
Yes, members can attend meetings with parents, as they normally would, both during and outside of the instructional day during the Phase 2 WTR Strike Protocol.
I have been requested to attend an IPRC meeting that takes place outside of the instructional day. Should I attend now that Phase 2 WTR Strike Protocol states that meetings must take place during the instructional day with release time provided?
No, you should not attend. During the Phase 2 WTR Strike Protocol, all meetings must take place during the instructional day, with release time provided. This includes special education meetings such as IPRC meetings.
Are members allowed to attend School Council meetings as a staff representative under the Phase 2 Work-to-Rule Strike Protocol?
No, members may not attend School Council meetings as a staff representative because they take place outside of the instructional day.
I am currently taking an AQ course through my school board. Do I have to withdraw from the course?
No. Members who are currently enrolled in an AQ course offered through a school board may continue to complete the course. Members may not register for AQ courses offered by school boards as of December 10, 2019.
My administrator has asked me to upload a copy of their monthly report to parents onto the school’s website. Am I able to do that during the Phase 2 WTR Strike Protocol?
Members may continue to update school websites, however they may not upload any memos or communication from the principal or school board to the website. Uploading the school’s monthly report to parents is considered struck work.
The Phase 2 WTR Strike Protocol states that members cannot plan any new field trips that occur before June 30, 2020. Can I take my students on field trips that were already planned?
Yes, during the Phase 2 WTR Strike Protocol, members can take students on field trips that were planned prior to December 10, 2019.
Phase 2 states that members are not to post success criteria if directed to do so by an administrator/supervisor. Am I allowed to post anchor charts that I use with my students?
Yes, members can choose to post the anchor charts that they deem necessary to support student learning. Members do not have to post anchor charts for every lesson or every day as requested or directed by their administrator or school board.
Do I have to take down the bulletin board displays in my classroom as part of our strike action?
No, the Phase 2 WTR Strike Protocol applies only to those displays that ETFO members create at the request or the direction of a principal/supervisor (e.g., monthly displays in school hallways, etc.).
During the OSSTF province-wide, one-day strike on December 4, my principal asked ETFO members on staff to come to the office and sign in when they reported to work. This is the first time we have had to sign in when we arrive at work. Should ETFO members comply with this new direction if asked to do so in the future?
Under the Phase 2 WTR Strike Protocol, as of December 10, 2019, your employer cannot require you to participate in a different or an enhanced attendance reporting process. ETFO members are to report to work as they normally have during the school year.
If you are asked by an administrator/supervisor to participate in an attendance process that deviates from normal practices around reporting to work because another union is on strike, contact your ETFO local as soon as possible.
I was ill on the same day as the OSSTF province-wide, one-day strike. I advised my principal/supervisor that I would be absent that day according to our usual absence reporting procedures. My principal/supervisor told me that ETFO members must now provide a medical note to justify their absences on days when strike action occurs. Should I comply with these types of requests in the future?
Under the Phase 2 WTR Strike Protocol, as of December 10, 2019, your employer cannot require you to participate in a different or an enhanced absence reporting process, or ask you to submit a medical certificate during strike action by another union. ETFO members are to report their absences as they normally have in the past.
If you are asked by administrator/supervisor to report or justify your absences from work in a way that deviates from how you would normally report such absences, contact your ETFO local as soon as possible.
I have a question about WTR that’s not covered in this bulletin. What do I do?
- If you are a Teacher member who has a WTR question, ask your School Steward;
- If you are an Occasional Teacher, DECE, ESP, PSP or education worker member who has a WTR question, call your ETFO local;
- If you are a School Steward who has a WTR question, or are unsure about how to answer a colleague’s WTR question, contact your ETFO local office.
Where can I find an online copy of the Phase 2 WTR Strike Protocol and Phase 2 FAQs?
The Phase 2 Strike Protocol and FAQs will be posted on ETFO’s Collective Bargaining website (etfocb.ca) on December 9, 2019, in the sections called “Phase 2 WTR Protocol” and “Phase 2 WTR FAQs.”
