Dear Fellow Local 79 Member,
First of all, I would like to wish you a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year!
The 2010 City of Toronto Operating Budget process will be underway, starting on February 16, 2010. As always, Local 79 will be closely monitoring the budget debate and taking an active role. Local 79 representatives will attend the budget committee meetings on a daily basis, and we will be making deputations and meeting with City Councillors and staff.
Local 79 has received a number of requests from City of Toronto members for a copy of their new Collective Agreement. Once they are ready, the new Collective Agreements will be made available to all Local 79 City of Toronto members. Please note that the process of amending a Collective Agreement is extremely complicated and involved. A Collective Agreement is a legally binding contract, therefore, it is of the utmost importance that the document reflects accurately, word-for-word, what was agreed to at the bargaining table. Once Local 79 has ensured the accuracy of the documents and the City and Local 79 have signed them, they will be printed and then distributed. Also, they will be made available on the Local 79 website – www.cupelocal79.org.
The Province of Ontario, despite not yet clarifying or confirming many of the most basic details of its implementation plan for full-day learning for four and five year olds, is set to begin phasing in this new programme in September 2010. The government’s target for full implementation in all Ontario schools is 2015. We will continue to monitor the implementation of this new programme, and will be kept informed as new information becomes available. Local 79 will be setting up meetings in the near future with all Children’s Services Members.
Congratulations to the winners of the 2009 Alex Gregory Memorial Scholarships. This year’s recipients are: Benjamin Chiu, son of Katrina Chiu, Legal Services; Alexandra Hul, daughter of Lilianna Buczkowska-Hul, Technical Services; Sadaf Rahman, daughter of Syed Rahman, Information and Technology Services; Amy Slivaric, daughter of Vjera Slivaric, Children’s Services; and Jonathan Yam, son of Edmund Yam, Accounting Services.
Face-to-face negotiations have begun with the Toronto Community Housing Corporation and will continue throughout January and February until we reach an agreement.
Local 79 members in the Recreation Workers’ Part-time Unit – please note that all pay stubs now show your accumulated hours.
Lastly, members are reminded that union dues are tax deductible. The Local 79 office receives numerous inquiries regarding this issue and wants to ensure that all our members claim this deduction when they complete their 2009 income tax return.
In Solidarity,
Ann Dembinski
President
