The boycott of Horizon Mills, which produces items under the Robin Hood brand name, has been lifted by the Canadian Labour Congress.  This boycott was called for in April 2008 and was supported by OSSTF as a member of the CLC.

The Horizon Milling Plant that was the subject of the boycott has since closed operations.  Wayne Hanley, National President of United Food and Commercial Workers Canada submitted a letter to the CLC on January 28, 2009 requesting that Horizon Mills and Robin Hood brands be taken off of the CLC boycott list.

Due to its popularity last year, we are once again hosting Ruth Kirkham here at our District 14 Office as she presents her Retirement Seminar.  Ruth's workshop will begin at 5:00pm on Monday, March 30 at the District 14 Office.

Ruth also presents this retirement workshop at our annual PD Day in December.  Ruth will scale down her presentation for us and allow more time for individual questions and discussion.

The event is free and refreshments will be provided.  Spouses are encouraged to attend.

Please contact Deborah at the District Office (748-3444 or 1-877-677-8314) to book your spot by Wednesday, March 25.  For more details, refer to your latest edition of the "One For All" newsletter.

OTIP’s popular Walk Into Retirement With A Plan workshop is returning to Peterborough On Saturday, February 7, 2009.  The one-day retirement planning workshop provides a comprehensive approach to retirement planning, including topics such as: lifestyle planning, retiree health benefits, and financial planning.
Educators planning to retire within the next 10 years are highly recommended to participate in this workshop.  This is also an excellent opportunity for couples to explore and communicate their individual expectations for retirement with each other.
To register for this all-day workshop, visit OTIP’s website .  The cost to attend is $25 per person, or $45 per couple.  This includes all handouts, personalized reports, a continental breakfast, refreshments and lunch.

Congratulations to David Warda (Kenner) as he will assume the position of TBU Third-Vice President.  This is David's second appointment this month as he was also appointed District Secretary earlier in January.

 Also, David Roberts (PCVS) was appointed by the Council to be the TBU representative on two committees.  David will represent the District 14 TBU at the Faculty of Education Working Group (FEWG) with Provincial OSSTF, as well as our representative on the Teacher Education Liason Committee (TELC).  

At 6 p.m. on Thursday, January 22, the TBU Executive announced that the membership had ratified the new collective agreement.  The Kawartha Pinde Ridge District School Board trustees held their ratification later that evening and also ratified the agreement. 

    "This agreement will ensure stability for our members and for the secondary schools within KPR," said Marc Silnicki, TBU President, "The successful completion of these neogotiations were the result of strong support by our members and an atmosphere of co-operation between OSSTF and the Board." 

All TBU members are encouraged to attend the upcoming ratification meeting on Monday, January 19, 2009 at 5 p.m.  In the tradition of alternating the location of meetings between the south and north end of the board, this meeting will be held in Peterborough, as the last ratification was held in Cobourg.  The meeting will take place at the Peterborough Curling club on Landsdowne Street West.  For a map and directions, please follow this link .

Members are also encouraged to bring a copy of their 2004 collective agreement if they wish to compare it with tentative agreement.  There will be an opportunity to ask questions. Voting will take place in the branches on Thursday, January 22, 2009.