Please CLICK HERE to view the latest press release from CUPE Ontario in regards to our OMERS pension plan.

Posted on behalf of OSBCU President, Laura Walton

The OSBCU is pleased that the government has now included on-site education workers as part of the workforce eligible for emergency child care, after their initial exclusion. We await to receive formal documentation on the announcement and are hopeful that the language includes all workers who require being on-site, namely EAs, custodial and maintenance staff.

While this expansion does support the thousands of education workers that are in our school buildings providing services, we have concerns about the back-to-school plan. A large number of education workers will continue to face challenges in juggling full-time work while helping their children with virtual learning.

At this point we question the sustainability of this plan – or lack of one – for families and educators. To that end we urge the province to bring together all stakeholders to develop a real and effective plan to address the safe return to school yet again. It is clear there is more to be done, and soon, to ensure that our staff and students are safe tomorrow, and in the future.

~~~~~~

Additional details will be shared with members as they become available to us.

The response for suggestions to the Community Holiday Drive was overwhelming! Thank you for all your input.

There were 25 submissions for agencies in need of assistance throughout the Valley. A random draw was conducted and the recipients of the $250 grocery gift cards are:

Youth Opportunities Unlimited

Open Closet

Congress of Black Women of Canada

St. Vincent de Paul, Tillsonburg

Coats for kids, Woodstock

Oxford Children’s Aid, Woodstock

Helping hand food bank, Tillsonburg

St. Thomas Anglican Church community outreach program

YWCA St. Thomas

Big Brothers/Big Sisters

Well done CUPE 4222 for continuing to provide so generously for those in need.

As in years past, we are organizing a Community Holiday Drive.

The local has purchased $2500 in grocery store gift cards for distribution throughout the communities served by our membership. As many are struggling this year we have opted to select ten community agencies that will be selected by a draw to receive $250 each and reach more individuals in need.

Please send an email to secretarycupe4222@gmail.com contact the office directly at 519.453.4222 with your recommendations.

Agencies that have received funding in the last 2 years will not be considered in order for us to support the broader community.

As you may recall, we initiated a Colouring Contest in September 2019 but … life got busy … and this idea went by the wayside for awhile but we’re enthusiastic to see this through.

Looking for an activity to keep the kids busy? Wanting to relax and unwind?

Put your creativity to the test and participate in the

Drawings must be reflect the work and impact of CUPE 4222 members (maintenance, custodial, IT, warehouse driver, clerical – school and board based, ECE’s in Care for Newcomer Children and Kindergarten)

Parameters for submission:

Open to anyone

Multiple submissions accepted

Must be a minimum of 8.5”x 11″ piece of paper

Executive Board members to make selections

Artists will receive a prize for participating

We will prepare a 12-18 month calendar (dependent on the number of submissions) utilizing the drawings. We will sell for final product at cost, use as a promotional item and in benevolent gift baskets.

Submissions can be sent via mail, TVDSB mailbag or dropped off at the office.

We did receive 8 submissions from children of CUPE members which will still be included in the preparation of our calendar but we need more great images! Be sure to submit them today!