Council of School Representatives (CSR) Meetings
CSR meetings take place on the first Tuesday of every month at 4:15pm in the LTCHS Learning Commons.
ATA Local Executive Meetings
The local executive council meets on the third Tuesday of every month. Please contact President, Evelyn Chan, for more information.
REd Deer City Local #60 of the ALberta Teachers’ Association
Local 60 ARA Resolutions Form:
Submit your proposal by November 14, 2023.
Council Contact information
President
Evelyn Chan
Negotiating sub-Committee
To Be Determined
Email: To Be Determined
District REp
Brice Unland
Email: brice.unland@ata.ab.ca
ATA Local 60 NEWS
teacher voice committee highlights
Each school had a teacher representative that meets on a regular basis with the ATA Local 60 president and senior administration, including our superintendent, Chad Erickson.
The main purposes of Teacher Voice:
For more information please contact Evelyn Chan (president.local60@gmail.com).
Teacher Voice Committee Reports
2022/23 scholarship recipients
Congratulations to our Local 60 Scholarship Recipients:
Stand for Education: 3D billboard in Red Deer highlights classroom overcrowding
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Q
Who do I contact to check my Professional Development (PD) or Clause 14 Funds?
A
Alan Towne. You can email him at pdf.local60@gmail.com. PD balances for the 2023-24 school year are currently being calculated. Thank you for your patience in receiving a response.
Q
What is the difference between our collective agreement and my personal contract?
A
The collective agreement outlines the negotiated salaries and benefits provided to all teachers. It has a start and end date and is re-negotiated by the teachers and school board at its conclusion. However, our past two contracts also included a provincially negotiated framework. A teaching contract is solely between the teacher and the board, outlining the type of contract (continuing, temporary or probation) and the Full Time Equivalency (FTE).
Q
Why can't the ATA do anything when I called to complain about the actions of my principal?
A
The nature of the principal teacher relationship is guided by labour law and the School Act. However, should a teacher be concerned with their teaching assignment or evaluations, it is important to contact Member Services of the ATA (1-800-232-7208) to receive advice and assistance in resolving issues.
Q
When does maternity leave and sick leave start and end?
A
Maternity leave starts the "actual date of delivery." Sick leave starts anytime before the "actual date of delivery." Mothers are entitled to 16 weeks of maternity leave and 62 weeks of parental leave (Time and Employment Insurance). You must give at least 6 weeks notice before you leave and at least 4 weeks notice of return. For more information on Sick Leave and Extended Disability Benefits click here. You can also call Member Services of the ATA (1-800-232-7208).
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Frequently Asked QUestions
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Who do I send completed PD claim forms to?
A
Karen Wolfmeyer. You can email her at pd.local60@gmail.com. Make sure to fill-out your form on Adobe Reader and email the forms to the address mentioned.
Click here for the PD Claim Form (Version - Sept 2023).
Q
What is the status of our current contract?
A
In April 2023, local bargaining finished for September 1, 2020 to August 31, 2024 Collective Agreement. Bargaining for the next round will start Centrally (Provincially) January 2024.
Q
Am I required to participate or run any extracurricular activities as part of my employment?
A
The new Professional Code of Conduct includes a section that should protect teachers from being obligated to take on extracurricular activities:
Section 4b states that "the teacher does not engage in activities which adversely affect the quality of the teacher's professional service.”
Read the Professional Code of Conduct here.
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Professional Development
PD Claim Form (updated September 2023)
ata PD Fund allocation
ATA Local 60 members have a PDF allocation to be determined based on your Full Time Equivalent (FTE). Contact Alan Towne to find out what your PD balance is. Please email him at pdf.coordinator.local60@gmail.com.
Local Library
You can borrow a variety of resources from the Local Library:
Substitute teacher costs
Substitute Teacher Costs
Specialist Council
Your ATA membership grants you FREE access to a specialist council. These councils allow you to partake in specific PD for a content area of your choosing, including conferences, book studies, and more. Click here for further details.
ATA Library
The ATA Library grants you access to a vast collection of books, technology, and other resources. You can browse the collection and borrow books by clicking here.
For more information, please contact our Local ATA PD Chair, Karen Wolfmeyer at pd.local60@gmail.com or through her district email.
PD Policies and Procedures
Ata overview
Barnett House
Address: 11010 142 Street NW, Edmonton AB
Phone Number:
1-800-232-7208 (toll free in Alberta)
Barnett House is the headquarters of our Alberta Teachers’ Association. The Provincial Executive Council (PEC) and 150 staff members, including Teacher Welfare and Members’ Services, work out of this building. If you need to contact “Barnett House”, you’re contacting those individuals that work on your behalf. For more information visit the ATA Website at www.teachers.ab.ca
Want to know all the abbreviations? Click here
Annual Representative Assembly (ARA)
The ARA is the Association's parliament and is made up of delegates from locals and members of the Provincial Executive Council. ARA establishes policy, approves the Association's budget and sets fees for the various categories of membership. The ARA meets once a year on the May long weekend for the annual meeting.
Provincial Executive Council (PEC)
PEC is made up of 15 district representatives and five table officers who meet at least eight times a year between annual meetings to conduct the business of the Association.
The district representatives are elected for two-year terms by members in their geographic district (11 districts).
Brice Unland represents our geographical area, Central South, which includes Red Deer Public, Red Deer Catholic, Chinook's Edge, Wolf Creek and Clearview.
The president and vice-presidents are elected for two-year terms by vote of the members on a provincial basis.
TABLE OFFICERS:
Jason C Schilling President
Greg P. Carabine Vice-President
Peter Mackay Vice-President
Greg A. Jeffery Past President
Dennis E. Theobald Executive Secretary
Member Services and Teacher Welfare have been merged to form Teacher Employment Services (TES), which will serve as a one-stop shop for teachers looking for advice and assistance related to their work life.
Guest (Substitute)
Teacher Committee
Updated information coming soon.
Alberta School Employee Benefits Plan
Teachers in Red Deer Public School District have Health Benefits that are provided by Alberta School Employee Benefit Plan (ASEBP). Some of these benefits include:
Please see below for for more information please visit www.asebp.ab.ca or call 1-877-431-4786..
Employee Family Assistance Program (EFAP)
Access to the Employee Family Assistance Program is included with your ASEBP Benefits. Some services that are included with this program include individual counselling, couples counselling, health coaching, and more.
Please visit the EFAP website for more details. You can also call 1-855-933-0103.
get the app!
Download the ASEBP app to simplify the process for submitting claims on services that aren’t immediately covered.
TEACHER WELFare committee (TWC)
& bargaining
Formerly known as the Economic Policy Committee, (EPC) approximately once a month at Lindsay Thurber in the Learning Commons. If you are interested in attending or want more information please contact Kerrie-Ann Dalstra at twc.local60@gmail.com.
What is the TWC?
what are the types of contracts?
Member involvement
Below you will find valuable information for ATA Members to know and do. Please note all information from the Alberta Teachers Association website is available to the public. You may be required to login to the Provincial ATA Website. Please see below on how to get a login.
ATA Website & ATA Login
In order to fully access the ATA website and its resources, you will need to sign up at the ATA website. It is important that the ATA and your local TWC have an email address for you that is different from your Red Deer Public School District one. For more details, click below. (Updated - Sept 2023)
Bargaining and the Collective Agreement
If you have any questions, please contact our TWC chair, Kerrie-Ann Dalstra (twc.local60@gmail.com).
Worth Knowing
November 2023 - Criminal and Vulnerable Sector Checks—Time Is Running Out!
Optional critical illness insurance can help with your finances while you focus on your recovery. It is one of the most cost-effective things you will ever do to protect your savings.
This type of insurance can give you a tax-free payment if you are diagnosed with a serious medical condition. Your contract will define which conditions are covered, but examples include cancer, heart attack and stroke.
Many assume that the Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan or workplace benefit plans (such as the Alberta School Employee Benefit Plan [ASEBP]) will cover many of the additional medical costs associated with a life-altering illness. However, these plans might not cover all the extra costs that come with managing a critical illness, such as home care, travel and accommodations, lost work wages, childcare, gas and meals. Over time, these expenses can add up.
Capital Estate Planning provides the Association’s Voluntary Benefits Program, a unique program built specifically for Alberta teachers and their families. This program includes critical illness insurance, group savings plans (RRSP, TFSA, RESP and RRIF), additional life insurance, and mortgage insurance.
Until November 30, 2023, teachers can apply for up to $50,000 in guaranteed acceptance critical illness insurance for themselves and up to $10,000 for their children. No medical questions are asked, and acceptance is guaranteed, regardless of medical history.
For more information, visit https://specialmarkets.ia.ca/applyata/home or call Capital Estate Planning at 780-463-6128 or 1-800-661-8755.
October 2023 - Criminal and Vulnerable Sector Checks—Time Is Running Out!
Effective September 1, 2022, Bill 85 amended the Education Act by adding a requirement to have updated criminal records and vulnerable sector checks. Section 2(7) of Bill 85 amended the Education Act by adding section 229.1, Criminal Record and Vulnerable Sector Checks. Bill 85 applies to those whose employment requires a certificate of qualification as a teacher, aleadership certificate or a superintendent leadership certificate. The legislation requires that the checks be completed by January 1, 2024 and must be updated every five years.
All school divisions must enforce the legislation and are required to ensure the results of those checks demonstrate that the teacher continues to be suitable for employment in their position. Failure to provide the necessary checks by the deadline imposed by the legislation, without some clear and demonstrable proof of the steps taken to obtain them, may result in a member encountering significant issues related to their employment relationship with their division. Teachers must comply with the legislation by providing the checks, even if their division has not offered a method or system to address the requirements.
Teachers do not have to incur the cost of the five-year criminal record check. Many divisions have worked with local law enforcement detachments to provide opportunities for members to obtain the checks. However, teachers who cannot provide the checks due to loss of the documents or failure to pick up or download them by the issuing agency’s deadline or startingnew employment will be responsible for the cost of the initial check or its reissuance.
If you have a criminal conviction (or charge, subject to the terms of your employment contract) and failed to reportthis to your division, you should seek the advice of Teacher Employment Services (1-800-232-7208). In this situation,most members would benefit from proactively addressing the issue with their division rather than waiting until their updated criminal record and vulnerable sector check is submitted.
October 2023 - Check YOur Pay Statement
Teachers received a two per cent (2%) increase on September 1, 2023.
A teacher’s annual salary is based on years of education (as determined by the Teacher Qualifications Service) and years of experience (as determined by the teacher’s collective agreement). Click here to see your salary grid.
Teachers are paid according to the Education Act, which states that teachers are paid 1/200 for each day they work (with a few variations). Since funds are allocated to school divisions over 12 months, paying teachers 1/12 of their annual salary each month from September to August is easier for everyone to budget, including school divisions.
Due to the improvements to the salary grid, teachers must review their September pay statements to be certain that their pay has been adjusted correctly. Teachers should continue to review their pay statements at the end of every month, particularly if they are still moving up the salary grid and are expecting to earn an increment. If a teacher reviews their pay statement and it appears that they have not been paid correctly, it is their responsibility to contact their employer to resolve the discrepancy. If the teacher is not able to correct the error with the employer forthwith, the teacher must contact Teacher Employment Services (TES) so that the Association can provide support in a resolution. Delays in reporting an error in pay could result in a loss of income, so it is critical that every teacher closely scrutinize their pay statement.
September 2023 - Duty-Free Lunch
Although COVID-19 safety protocols include altered supervision assignments, staggered break times for students and changes to the school bell schedule, the provision for a rest period under the 2018–20 central collective agreement (clause 8.3, Duty-Free Lunch) remains.
The school division must schedule a 30-minute rest period for each teacher during each five hours the teacher works. When reasonable, the break should be scheduled in the middle of the teacher’s assignment. If, for some reason, an unbroken rest period of 30 minutes cannot be scheduled, a teacher must agree to two rest periods of no less than 15 minutes each. This is an individual agreement between the school division and the teacher. This does not mean that rest periods can be shortened without written individual agreement or that breaks must be requested by teachers. Further, under no circumstances can there be less than two 15-minute breaks.
Alberta’s Labour Relations Code states that a collective agreement is binding on the parties named in the agreement. A school division
cannot alter the provisions of the collective agreement, nor can teachers accept conditions outside of the collective agreement. A school authority must schedule each teacher’s timetable to ensure that the teacher has rest periods that adhere to the collective agreement. Supervision and rest periods must be scheduled by the school authority, not created through sign-up sheets completed by teachers. Further, teachers cannot opt out of time caps or waive their right to a 30-minute rest period.