Ontario Secondary School Teachers' Federation
35 Support Staff uOttawa

Special Meeting For Strike Mandate

Update on PSUO-SSUO’s Negotiations & Vote for Strike Mandate

All PSUO-SSUO members are called to a Special meeting in order that we may update you on the impasse we have reached with our negotiations and vote on a strike mandate. These meetings are very important in order to allow you to cast an informed vote.

Dates: Monday September 16 at 6 :00 p.m. or Tuesday September 17 at 6 :00 p.m.

Location : Ottawa Convention Centre, 55 Colonel By Drive, 2nd floor - Gatineau Salon

 

The two meetings will be the same. We will explain the University’s monetary proposals and outline some of the Collective Agreement changes that the Employer tabled during the negotiation process.  We will also explain the legal process of voting for a strike as per the Ontario Labour Relations Act. You must have your OSSTF/FEESO membership card (or your University employee card) in order to attend and vote at the meeting. Voting by proxy or in advance is not permitted.

A light supper will be served. In order that we may order the proper quantity of food, please confirm your attendance no later than Friday September 13 at info@psuo-ssuo.ca . Please advise us of any dietary restrictions and special accommodations (sign language, wheelchair, visual assistance, etc.) you may require.

Support during a strike or lockout

During the Assembly we will give you more details about the strike fund and help available to members; but as indicated in our June bulletin OSSTF/FEESO provides the following support to members who participate in the strike by attending picket lines or an approved alternative:

  • for the first 10 days, $55 per day
  • for the 11th and subsequent days, $65 per day, plus $5 per day for each dependent (the Provincial Executive may approve additional financial support in the event of a protracted lost-wages sanction)
  • OSSTF/FEESO would attempt to ensure no members' pensions or benefit plans be negatively impacted by offering to make the necessary contributions to maintain these plans.
  • interest-free loans during the strike to members in financial need; repayment of the loan starts one month after the strike is settled, although members may repay it earlier
  • OSSTF/FEESO Benevolent Committee may grant money to members in great difficulty from donations it receives from other bargaining units.

 For more information on support during a strike action and strike pay, you can read the two OSSTF/FEESO documents on our web site.

Alternate Date

If you are unable to attend one of the two evening meetings at the Ottawa Convention Centre, you can come cast your vote at our office at 559 King Edward, suite 200 on Wednesday September 18th between 8:00 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. Please note that members can only vote during their breaks, lunch or before and after their normal work hours. You must have your OSSTF/FEESO membership card (or your University employee card) in order to vote.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

We need volunteers to staff the registration desk (starting at 5 PM) and the polling booth Monday and Tuesday evening. If you wish to offer your services for one of the meetings, please contact Stella Basque at the PSUO-SSUO Office, by phone at 613-233-3376 or via email at secadmin@psuo-ssuo.ca. We also need volunteers to count the ballots at our office on Wednesday, September 18 at 6:00 p.m.

Parking

Parking fees will be paid for members who do not have a uOttawa parking permit and need to take their car to attend the assembly. Please let us know at the same time that you confirm your attendance.

Childcare

Childcare expenses to allow members to attend the assembly will be reimbursed at the current Ontario minimum wage of $10.25 per hour. Receipts from the childcare provider must be provided.


We thank you for your continued patience and support. We hope to see you there. We will inform you of the vote results Thursday September 19.