What's happening in D3 this month...
January 10th: T/OT PSC Meeting - 4:30 pm
January 10th: PSSP PSC Meeting - 4:30 pm
January 11th: CPAC Meeting - 4:30 pm
January 16th:  Equity & Human Rights Meeting - 4:30 pm
January 23rd: Status of Women Meeting - 4:45 pm
January 24th:  ESSU Executive Meeting - 4:30 pm
January 28th:  Curling Bonspiel - start time: 4:00 pm
Feb 1st:  District Executive Meeting - 4:30 pm
 

Happy New Year from everyone here at the District 3 office. We wish everyone a healthy and prosperous 2023.

Many of the District 3 Bargaining Units Protective Services Committees will be busy completing their local negotiating briefs over the next few weeks. Some will be looking to start collective bargaining with the employer as early as mid-February. Central negotiations for both Education Workers and Teachers will continue over the next few weeks with the hope of tackling some of the more substantive issues. Members will be provided with future Bargaining Updates at the conclusion of the next scheduled talks.

We want to thank those members who took the time to complete the OSSTF/FEESO Membership Survey that was posted on the Update online newsletter in mid-December. If you have not yet done so and want to share your opinion, the survey is open until January 9th.

We hope that everything goes smoothly as both staff and students strive for success in reaching for the finish line of semester one. Bring on 2023.

Regards, 
                     
Eric Laberge
District President
                                                                                  

Another year has come and gone. In the words of my brother, my wristwatch has turned into a fan. 2022 had some moments for the history books: The truck convoy protests, the war in Ukraine, record high prices for gas and groceries, the Pope’s apology, the overturning of Roe v. Wade, hurricane Fiona and the death of Queen Elizabeth. I don’t feel the need to mention Covid; it’s just an ever-present, evolving entity. What’s the new one - XBB.1.5? It’s hard to keep track.
 
But 2022 is over and this is a bright and shiny new year. It still has new car smell. The possibilities are endless. And while I’m sure there will be some stories for the history books this year, hopefully some of those stories are good new stories. Like peace for Ukraine.
 
As there is not much we can do to change the course of history, perhaps the focus should be closer to home and how we might create our own positive histories. One might call these new year’s resolutions, but does anyone keep those? Perhaps we could just resolve to be kind to ourselves and others.
 
I have the perfect suggestion on how this might be effortlessly achieved; purchase tickets for Porketta bingo. In doing so, you are giving yourself an evening out with friends – being kind to yourself. You are also donating to a worthy cause, the Women’s Centre – being kind to others.
 
On top of that, Porketta is a Sudbury tradition. (Spelled porketta, not porchetta!) We are renowned for our take on this tasty Italian dish. There may be some debate over the actual recipe – Is it dill? Is it fennel? Is it both? Regardless, the results are always mouth-watering. I believe we are the inventors of sport as well. I challenge you to find another place on Earth that combines bingo and porketta. If you haven’t played, you are well overdue. If you have, you know what I’m talking about.

                                                 

To get your tickets and work towards your new year’s resolutions and indulge in some good old-fashioned Sudbury tradition, go to:  Eventbrite
 
In the meantime, if you are hankering for some porketta, and you want to try your hand at preparing your own, try this recipe appearing in the January 9th, 2012 issue of the Toronto Star. 

                                 
 

 

Start the new year off right with ways to save on your home and auto insurance
 

The price you pay for insurance can vary by hundreds of dollars, so how can you get the best value for your money?

Here are 10 ways you may be eligible to save on your home and auto insurance and start your new year off right.
 

Read more at www.otip.com/article158
.

 

 

Maximize your RRSPs by avoiding these two common missteps
 

Having a pension is a great thing. But, when it comes to ensuring you have the cash flow you need in retirement,
it’s always a good idea to have a bit of a financial cushion in addition to those monthly OTPP or OMERS payments.

That’s where the Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP) comes in. Yet many Canadians are making costly mistakes when it comes to their RRSP.
 

When it comes to your RRSPs, here are two things you should avoid: https://bit.ly/3vgJ2SX.

Brought to you by Educators Financial Group.
 

                                                                   

OSSTF/FEESO and Educators Financial Group will be offering the following OTPP and OMERS pension webinars to our members.

OMERS – English
Tuesday January 24, 2023 – 5:30 PM
https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/3442358028896633182

OMERS – French
Wednesday January 25, 2023 - 7:00 PM
https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/3675395120357343072

OTPP – English
Tuesday January 31, 2023 – 4:30 PM
https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/6039479260494363221
 

December 4th - ESSU members hosted the Children's Christmas Party for members and their kids.  The kids had a great time doing crafts, decorating cookies, eating pizza and visiting with Santa.  And of course, they loved their gifts!

If you and your child were unable to attend this year and would like to join in the festivities next year, be sure to watch for the registration notice in the November 2023 LINK.

A huge shoutout to ESSU President Stephanie Daoust and her team for championing this event! 

        
                                          

A Blood Plasma drive was organised by the ESSU executive and took place on December 19th.   
Thirteen OSSTF members donated their time and their plasma at this event. 
Each member who attended received a canvas tote bag that included some Christmas Cheer! 

For those who donate regularly and would like to donate under the OSSTF team, use the Give Blood app on your phone and select the OSSTF ESSU Team to make your next plasma donation.

ESSU has another Plasma drive planned for this spring - details will be sent out once a date has been set.   

To donate today, visit Canadian Blood Services to book your appointment.


                                   

                                   
                                  

 

 

On December 15th, District President Eric Laberge, along with District Officer Katrina Ross and other volunteers (including Paul Camillo, retired principal from SSS), served up the Holiday Feast for the students at Sudbury Secondary School. 
This traditional Christmas turkey dinner included all the trimmings! 

This feast has been an annual tradition at SSS for 15 years and is proudly supported by OSSTF District 3.