Amendment #1
Current Language
Section 7.6 – Executive Release Time and Responsibility Allowance
7.6.1 President
a) The President of the Local shall be released 0.8 FTE on the salary grid at their grid placement, until such time the position is considered 1.0 by ETFO provincial calculations.
Proposed Language
Section 7.6 – Executive Release Time and Responsibility Allowance
7.6.1 President
a) The President of the Local shall be released full-time at their grid placement. Until such time the position is considered 1.0 by ETFO provincial calculations, the Local shall make up any differences in release time payment through the Local Levy.
Rationale:
ETFO determines release time based on the amount of work completed, rather than the number of members in each local. Currently, we have 449 members who have collectively filled over 375 posted and filled LTO positions this year, in addition to completing thousands of daily assignments. For the 2024-25 year, ETFO has allocated a 1.0 release based on the workload recorded in 2023-24. However, despite our membership numbers remaining steady, we have experienced significant setbacks—including over 25 snow days, an ice storm, and 11 full-year system class LTOs—which will impact the overall workload.
Several Locals, both OT and Permanent, have chosen to supplement their release time beyond ETFO’s allocation. For instance, our permanent teacher local receives funding for 1.25 positions from ETFO but covers the cost of 2.0 released officers. With approximately 685 members, their local is larger than ours—yet while we represent 66% of their membership numbers, we receive less than half the release time.
OT Locals have previously attempted to revise ETFO’s calculation methods through motions at the Annual Meeting. Unfortunately, due to the smaller OT voting base compared to permanent members, these motions have been unsuccessful. A new motion will be reintroduced this summer, and I remain optimistic about its chances—but success is not guaranteed.
The role of President requires a full-time commitment to best serve and advocate for all members. Responsibilities include responding to emails, phone calls, and messages; meeting with members; assisting with investigations and job-related concerns; tracking LTO and permanent postings to ensure procedural compliance; participating in Board policy reviews; attending NTIP sessions; meeting with the Board; distributing monthly newsletters; and fostering member engagement. These duties underscore the necessity of securing appropriate release time to fulfill the job’s demands effectively.
Amendment #2
Current Language
8.2.4 The Annual General Meeting shall:
a) receive the annual reports of the President of the ETFO-TLOTL;
b) approve the budget for the next year;
c) receive the financial statements only if not presented at the Fall General Meeting.;
d) provide the opportunity to amend the Constitution as per Article XII;
e) shall elect the Executive Officers for a two year period if it is an election year.
8.2.5 The Fall General Meeting shall:
a) receive the financial statements
b) receive a President’s update
c) provide time for a question and answer session with the President.
Proposed Language
8.2.4 The Annual General Meeting shall:
a) receive the annual reports of the President of the ETFO-TLOTL;
b) approve the draft budget for the next year;
c) receive the financial statements only if not presented at the Fall General Meeting.;
d) provide the opportunity to amend the Constitution as per Article XII;
e) shall elect the Executive Officers for a two year period if it is an election year.
8.2.5 The Fall General Meeting shall:
a) receive the financial statements
b) Approve the final budget for the year
c) receive a President’s update
d) provide time for a question and answer session with the President.
Rationale:
Since ETFO’s final numbers are not provided until October and we are hovering around the critical 200 FTE threshold—which directly affects the release allocation—it is practical to approve a preliminary draft budget in the spring, with the final budget confirmed in the fall once the official ETFO figures are available.