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The Oakville Beaver Weekend, Saturday May 27, 2006 - 5 Public school support staff step up sanctions By Tim Whitnell SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER Members of the Ontario Secondary School Teachers' Federation (OSSTF) District 20 Halton Office, Clerical and Technical (OCTU) bargaining unit have stepped up sanctions against the Halton District School Board on the eve of resuming contract talks. Effective Thursday, the union representing more than 250 front-line office, clerical and technical staff at elementary and secondary schools and the main board administrative facilities have increased punitive measures against the board. OCTU says it is in response to what it deems is foot dragging in negotiations by the board. The OCTU group, which includes secretaries, library technicians and repair technicians, has been without a contract since August 31, 2004. After several failed negotiating sessions, including the use of a conciliator, the two sides met Friday. The first level of sanctions began May 1 and is expected to remain in place during the ramped up workto-rule campaign, said Dawn Beckett-Morton, the board's executive officer of human resources and its chief contract negotiator. Original job sanctions included members doing things like delaying or slowing down their work, leaving schools or the board office on time and not handling money related to school fundraising. The union did not provide details of the second phase of its sanctions in a press release, but BeckettMorton said she expects the work-to-rule campaign to expand to include a further withdrawal of services that will increase pressure on principals and vice-principals, giving them more administrative duties than usual. "The members will not perform any work related to finances/budgeting. "It affects elementary schools in particular," said Beckett-Morton. She added she has been told to expect OCTU members not to plan school or board functions and not book hotel rooms or make travel arrangements for schools going on trips. Beckett-Morton said the overall situation has not resulted in any cancelled trips but that it adds to the workload of school and board administrators. She said the union's members also won't deal with couriers bringing parcels into school offices, referring them to other administrative staff. One issue of concern in the new sanctions, said Beckett-Morton, is the union's position not to supervise students sent to the office. She said her understanding is they will be sent back to where they came from. "We have questions about that. I don't believe it is in their (union's) authority to do that. They can withdraw services but they can't dictate to us," said BeckettMorton. In Thursday's press release Debbie Majka, president of the District 20 OCTU bargaining unit, said, "I want to stress that the new sanctions continue to respect the importance of student safety and wellbeing and we have given the board sufficient notice and time to put alternative measures in place to ensure this." Sandra Sahli, executive officer of OSSTF and chair of the negotiating team stated, "Our message to the Halton board has been clear. Our goal is to get back to the table and negotiate a settlement. We are pleased that the board has decided to bargain again tomorrow. It is our hope that their negotiators have been provided with a mandate that has the flexibility needed for us to resolve the remaining issues and reach a settlement." In a previous press release Majka stated, "The work we do is essential to the efficient and safe operation of our schools and it's time for the board to show its respect for the contributions our members make and come to the bargaining table prepared to negotiate seriously." Beckett-Morton said she is hopeful but not confident a deal can be reached in Saturday's talks. She said there are essentially two key areas that are sticking points to a new contract. "It's monetary, and there's one issue I consider a management right," she said, without elaborating. CORRECTION NOTICE Smoke-Free Ontario The new Smoke-Free Ontario Act comes into effect on May 31, 2006. This new Act does not allow smoking under overhangs on buildings, or in enclosed public spaces including structures such as parking garages. It also legislates the removal of all covered smoking shelters. New signage has been posted in and around our hospitals to help identify where smoking is not permitted. Thank-you for your cooperation! Halton Healthcare Oakville-Trafalgar Memorial Hospital 327 Reynolds Street, Oakville, ON L6J 3L7 905-845-2571 Milton District Hospital 30 Derry Road East, Milton, Ontario, L9T 2X5 905-878-2383 Georgetown Hospital 1 Princess Anne Drive, Georgetown Ontario, L7G 2B8 905-873-0111 If you have a news tip or story idea, call the Oakville Beaver at 845-3824. COMBINING QUALITY AND COST IS ONE OF THE THINGS WE DO BEST. Knowing the families in our community, we understand quality service and cost are both important. We also know people are more comfortable when they have choices. Our list of services assures your family the dignity they deserve at a cost you determine. If you ever have a question or would like more information, feel free to call or stop by. Still Family Owned Since 1914 104 Reynolds Street, Oakville 905 844-3221 Now honouring the 6% Goods and Services Tax on New Pre-financed Funeral Arrangements - We want to make things just a little bit easier.