www.insideHALTON.com · OAKVILLE BEAVER Wednesday, November 7, 2012 · 4 Strike action possible at public high schools By Dominik Kurek OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF The Ontario Secondary Teachers' Federation (OSSTF) provincial office says labour sanctions could be imposed as early as today (Nov. 7) where local bargaining units are in a position to take labour action -- including Halton. In the Halton District School Board, the OSSTF represents more than 1,300 public high school teachers, 500 secondary occasional teachers, 305 members of the Office Clerical and Secretarial Staff (OCTU), and approximately 100 members in the Professional Student Services Personnel (PSSP), representing social workers, psychologists, speech language pathologists, and child and youth counsellors (CYC). In Halton, OCTU represents secretarial staff in both elementary and secondary schools. For teachers, sanctions may include withdrawing supervision of students outside the classroom, not attending staff or department meetings, not meeting or communicating with parents outside the regular school day, and not covering classes for absent teachers. Occasional teachers have been directed to decline additional teaching duties (on-call, supervision or additional assignments). Parents and students may notice the effect of sanctions outside the school day, through reduced contact with teaching staff via e-mail or teacher websites (homework assignments, marks). While extra-curricular activities for secondary schools are expected to continue, OSSTF sanctions will mean the board will be required to restrict activities that draw teachers out of class, like team practices, professional development, or other events that require teacher coverage. During the OSSTF sanctions, school administrators may not have the ability to supervise students required to report to the office, so par- ents may be called to pick up their child(ren). "It is unfortunate our staff and students have been placed in this position. These sanctions seem inevitable in light of the provincial government's legislated terms and conditions," said Don Vrooman, chair of the Halton District School Board in a release issued late Monday. "Our objective remains to work locally to reach negotiated collective agreements with our staff," stated Vrooman. "The most significant pressure caused by these sanctions is the restriction in the board's ability to provide teacher coverage and student See Labour page 8 Fine cabinetry for anywhere in your home Family Owned & Operated Since 1976 S 905-632-0029 @ Babies "R" Us Oakville www.fitdolls.ca 289.681.3055 · Bath and Kitchen Showroom · Designer Kitchens · Kitchen Renovations ON CABINETS WITH COMPLETE KITCHENS ORDERED BEFORE NOVEMBER 30,2012 15% DISCOUNT (new orders only) See store for details 4150 South Service Rd. uniquekitchensofburlington.com it all started when I heard the "C" word... Nothing had prepared me to hear the word cancer. Last November, after weeks of unbearable stomach pain, I had an emergency CT scan at my hospital here in Oakville. That test and a follow-up biopsy confirmed that I had lymphoma and needed immediate chemotherapy treatment outside of our community. Overnight I went from being the caregiver to my family to the one that needed their support, like helping me get to my medical appointments. Today, I am cancer-free and ready for this new stage in my life's journey. Our new hospital will change the way cancer care is delivered for Oakville residents, but more than 30,000 pieces of new equipment are needed for our new hospital. Every piece is critical and every piece must be funded by our community. It all starts here with your help. Please give generously. OakvilleHospitalFoundation.com Please call 905 338 4642 to make a difference by donating to the Oakville Hospital Foundation. Charitable Registration #: 13145-3490 RR0001 The Oakville Hospital Foundation is grateful for the generous support of our media sponsor, the Oakville Beaver. Linda Busch and her husband Dan at Lakeside Park, Oakville Brigitte Elise Photography