Michael Wicks

ETEA

November 22, 2009

Dear Members,

I am thrilled to announce that ETEA welcomed a new local, Bodwell Language School, on Friday, November 20^th.  They will be ETEA Local 4!!  The Organizing Committee works tirelessly to build a sense of professionalism within the ESL industry and to extend the benefits, security and community, that being a member of ETEA provides.  I am so proud that ETEA Local 1 teachers were the ones to begin this organizing drive.  Congratulations and thanks everybody!

The spirit of volunteerism has always been the foundation of the union movement, and ETEA Local 1 is no exception.  Without the absolute dedication and hard work of past, present and future members, ETEA would not be what it is today.  Many of you approach us (the Executive Committee) with really fabulous ideas on how to improve ETEA.  These suggestions are appreciated, but the Executive Committee is unable to implement them without your help.  We are attaching a list of committees and their functions, and would love it if some of you would join.  I am constantly surprised by the variety of interests, talents, and perspectives of our membership.  I know the ETEA could benefit from every one of you.

The Executive Committee will be calling a General Meeting in the near future.  As always, your continued support is appreciated.

Karen McCullough

ETEA Local 1 President

January 28, 2009

Dear Members,

On January 12^th and 13^th, ETEA resumed collective bargaining with ILSC management.  As a consequence, and as you might expect, we have further decisions to consider.  At the risk of sounding like a broken record, it is vitally important that your presence be counted.  Everyone on the Bargaining Committee (that includes your Executive, by the way) has generated a number of potential directions we can take when we go back to the table on February 10^th.  As stated in the last memo, this round of negotiations comes with a unique set of challenges. We depend on your input to form and set our objectives. 

Our membership has shown strong solidarity over the last several months and your attendance and participation at meetings have been greatly appreciated.  You have been there, raised your concerns and voiced your opinions.  This has set the tone and direction of our negotiations. As we are nearing a critical juncture in bargaining, we need your voice, now, more than ever.

We (Karen and I) will be visiting the campuses this Friday at lunch to answer any questions and to give you a gentle (perhaps a little firmer than gentle) nudge to join your membership on February 4^th at BCIT, Room 840 at 4:30.

Please do everything you can to attend this very important meeting.

We count on your continued support. 

In Solidarity,

Bari Blackhart                   Karen McCullough

President            Vice President

January 14th, 2009

Dear Members,

 As you know, we are having a General Meeting this Friday, the 16th, with a social to follow.

 It is crucial for you to know what happened at the bargaining table prior to the Christmas break.  As well, management has shifted significantly in their willingness for transparency and access to the books.

 We need you right now.  We need to inform you, but we also need your input and feedback on where we as a membership intend to go with negotiations.  As all are well aware, this is a round of bargaining like no other.  We need you and your attendance to help form and plan our objectives.  Our success at the close of this bargaining should reflect full membership participation.

 I know many of us are grappling with new courses to teach and adjusting to being back after the break, but I encourage you to make every effort to attend this General Meeting.

 Please note that the ETEA has become an Institutional Member in good standing of BC TEAL.  We will be discussing this briefly at the meeting.  In the meantime, please refer to the postings on the union boards.

 As for the social, it’s the Kingston again, guys!  Your Executive and Bargaining Committees are looking forward to food, drink and merrymaking with you.  Please come out!

In Solidarity,

 Bari Blackhart,

President, ETEA 

October 15, 2008

Dear Members,

As we enter contract bargaining, your Executive Committee is aware that there remains anxiety regarding the half-day Friday closure.

At our last General Meeting on September 17, the membership unanimously voted that:

“The ETEA officially objects to the Friday closure.”

Your participation in the program meetings of the previous day in no way endorsed the Friday closure, nor did distributing the notices to your students.

In response to member feedback, on October 10^th Bari and Karen met with Richard to ask him to meet with the general membership and answer our questions.  This meeting will be on Thursday, October 16^th at 4:15 p.m. in room 301 at the Richards campus.  Additionally, we will be calling a General Meeting in the next few weeks.  If you have anything you would like added to the agenda, please email Lorraine at eteasecret@yahoo.ca or put a note in the ETEA box at 555 Richards.  Your input is valued.

Thank you for your continued support,

Your Executive Committee:

Bari Blackhart, Karen McCullough, Lili Meier, Lorraine Rehnby

Dear Members,

We are aware of the concerns that many have expressed with regards to the proposed Friday closures. We are anxious to get your feedback and input at the General Meeting on September 17. Again, we want to stress the importance of your attendance at this meeting. We will also be discussing upcoming bargaining and the membership will be electing a Bargaining Committee as not all the Executive will be at the table at all times. Any members who are interested in sitting on the Bargaining Committee are invited to run for a seat at the bargaining table. Candidates will be expected to give a brief talk outlining what they hope to bring to this committee.

On Thursday (after the Executive meeting), you will be receiving a survey regarding bargaining. Please complete it by Wednesday’s meeting as bargaining could begin as early as October. As usual, your input is critical.

Please remember that we are a collective, and while changes may not have a negative impact on some members, for others, these proposed cuts hurt. Let’s support each other.

Bari Blackhart and Karen McCullough ]]> http://www.eteaunion.org/?feed=rss2&p=70 http://www.eteaunion.org/?p=69 http://www.eteaunion.org/?p=69#comments Tue, 02 Sep 2008 16:38:42 +0000 president http://www.eteaunion.org/?p=69

Dear Members,

As summer draws to a close, ETEA Local 1 is preparing to enter collective bargaining.  As some of you may be aware, the executive has been engaged in discussions with ILSC management over the last month.

Today, ILSC released a memo to members stating that as of January 1, 2009, the school will no longer offer classes on Friday afternoons.  The ETEA executive was made aware of this plan, but did not endorse it.  The ETEA was given assurance that no member’s benefits would be negatively affected by this change.

The executive will meet on September 3 to discuss our next action.  There will also be a General Membership meeting held in the very near future, where members will be given a full report.  The date will be posted on September 3rd.

It is crucial that members attend this General Meeting, as these measures will affect everyone.  We will be discussing the next round of collective bargaining as well as the Friday closures.

Thank you to everyone for your continued support.

ETEA Executive

Bari Blackhart, Karen McCullough, Lili Meier and Lorraine Rehnby  ]]> http://www.eteaunion.org/?feed=rss2&p=69 http://www.eteaunion.org/?p=64 http://www.eteaunion.org/?p=64#comments Wed, 04 Jun 2008 04:41:55 +0000 president http://www.eteaunion.org/?p=64

June 3, 2008

Dear Members,

For those of you who were unable to attend our AGM, I’d like to update you on a few important details.

I am happy to be returning as your President and even happier to have Karen, Lili, and Lorraine all in their previous positions! (This marks a first in ETEA history.)  The position of Director, filled by Jean Ardila, was dropped largely because of the new structure of ETEA and the corresponding changes to the constitution.  All on the executive are encouraged by new members volunteering as stewards.  Please refer to the union contact boards at your campus for the names of the stewards serving your campus.  Also, if you see a teacher struggling with contract/union related issues, please guide him/her to a steward.

A new contact list was given out at the AGM as well as a union handbook.  If you were not there, you can expect copies of the contact list (if you’re on it) in your mailboxes, and the handbook, the new Constitution and the Collective Agreement on the union boards. Future messages from me will be posted on the union boards at each campus, on our ETEA website and emailed to those members who agreed to be contacted in this way.  For those of you who chose not to be contacted through email, please check the union boards and our website for current messages/letters.  Letters and other urgent memos will be posted on amber yellow paper (as usual).

Thanks to all those who came forward with such positive feedback about the AGM. 

Bari Blackhart

President