Infosheet No. 1
NLTA Programs and Services
Introduction
Programs and Services undertakes the work of the NLTA in the following major areas: Collective Bargaining; Administration of the Collective Agreements (including discipline matters and grievances/arbitrations); Group Insurance; Teachers’ Pensions and Pre-Retirement Seminars; Professional Development; Employee Assistance Program; Employment Insurance; Teacher Payroll; Workers’ Compensation/Injury on Duty; Occupational Health and Safety; Legal Assistance; and Professional Relations/Membership Discipline. The staff of Programs and Services is comprised of the Assistant Executive Director, seven Administrative Officers, two EAP Coordinators and four support staff.
All Administrative Officers share the workload in the total program; however, specific areas of responsibility are assigned to each. Please check the NLTA website for details of those specific responsibilities.
Collective Agreements
The NLTA administers three Collective Agreements – the Provincial Collective Agreement, the Labrador West Collective Agreement and the Labrador Benefits Agreement.
The preparation of the opening proposals and the negotiation and administration of the Provincial Agreement is an important role of Programs and Services. It is a major task to administer a Collective Agreement, which is subject to interpretation by school districts and members throughout this province. It is normal to expect that disagreements will sometimes arise between members and their employer over the intended meaning of specific provisions of the Agreement. When that happens, the Programs and Services staff are there to provide advice and assistance to members, including representation in grievance/arbitration procedures to protect the position of members.
Contract Administration
A major component of the work of Programs and Services is to assist with the interpretation and application of the Collective Agreement(s). Staff Officers are available to respond to inquiries concerning the Agreement(s) and to assist members with difficulties encountered in the workplace.
Any member who feels that they have been negatively affected by an alleged violation of the Collective Agreement should contact a Programs and Services Administrative Officer for advice on filing a grievance. The merits of the case will be assessed and an attempt made to resolve the grievance to the member’s satisfaction. Should a resolution not be found at this stage, the grievance may proceed to arbitration with the consent of the NLTA Staff Officers.
Group Insurance
The NLTA Group Insurance Plan, consisting of Life, Accident, Health, Dental, Long-Term Disability, Critical Illness and Medical Out-of-Country Travel Health Insurance, is owned by the NLTA and operated through a seven-person Board of Managers appointed by and answerable to the Provincial Executive. The plan is administered by Johnson Inc. and underwritten by a number of insurance companies. The basic plan consists of A1 – Life, A3 – Accident and B – Health. The provincial government contributes to the cost of premiums for the basic plan options at a level consistent with the government contribution to similar plans for other public sector workers.
The Collective Agreements provide for an annual process to determine the exact contribution by government to the basic plan.
When members are placed on regular payroll, they are automatically enrolled in the three options of the basic plan. They are also enrolled automatically in the Dental Plan, Critical Illness Plan and, for those under age 60, Long-Term Disability. Enrolment in the voluntary options: A2 – Life, A4 – Accidental, C – Long Term Disability (for other than those mentioned above), Voluntary Critical Illness, LC – Long-Term Care and T – Medical Out of Country is by application. For more information visit the NLTA Group Insurance website.
Teachers’ Pensions
In the 2014-15 school year, the NLTA and Government reached agreement on pension reform, entering into a Joint Sponsorship Agreement. The legislation enabling joint trusteeship of the Teachers’ Pension Plan (TPP) and creation of the Teachers’ Pension Plan Corporation (TPPC) was passed in the June 2015 session of the House of Assembly. The TPPC administers the TPP and is overseen by an independent expert Board of Directors. NLTA and Government have equal representation on the TPP Sponsor Body.
An important element of our pension program is pre-retirement counselling for members who are less than two years from retirement. Pre-retirement seminars are held each fall in major centers across the province. The sessions provide counselling on such things as Association benefits to retirees, Employment Insurance, the Canada Pension Plan and financial planning. Paid leave for these seminars is provided under the Collective Agreements, and some expenses for the retiring member are paid by the Association. For more information, go to www.tppcnl.ca
Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
The EAP is a confidential, professional assistance program designed to enable members to resolve issues affecting their personal lives that may also impact on their professional lives. The program includes two components: (a) assessment referral for counselling and follow up, which targets problem issues and provides suggestions for resolving issues; and (b) health and wellness promotion, which is designed to help members prepare for anticipated change and encourage lifestyle behaviours which enhance overall health and well-being. For more information, go to www.nlta.nl.ca/employee-assistance-program
Employment Insurance
The Association’s involvement with Employment Insurance is as follows: (a) interpreting and explaining the Employment Insurance Act and Regulations for members; (b) reporting to members when changes occur in the Employment Insurance Act or Regulations; (c) acting with legal counsel, on behalf of members preparing appeals; and (d) preparing policy statements for the Executive on the Employment Insurance Act and Regulations as they apply to NLTA members. For more information, go to www.nlta.nl.ca/infosheet-5
Teacher Payroll
NLTA’s involvement with Teacher Payroll falls mainly into the following three categories: (a) interceding on behalf of members who feel that they have been incorrectly paid; (b) maintaining a liaison with Payroll officials on the interpretation of articles in our Collective Agreements; and (c) meeting with Payroll officials and Johnson Inc. to monitor insurance deductions, and general meetings to discuss changes needed in the payroll computer programs. Space is available on pay stubs for messages.
Legal Assistance
The Association offers a program of legal assistance, administered by Programs and Services, for NLTA members. The Legal Assistance Policy covers procedures, policies and appeals and applies to arbitration cases and other problems that arise as a result of a member’s role as a teacher. All requests for legal assistance must be initiated through and approved by Programs and Services staff. Legal assistance provided in accordance with the policy refers to the legal services of the law firm retained by the Association.
Workers’ Compensation/Injury on Duty
When a member is injured in the course of duty, they are entitled to benefits in accordance with the Workplace Health, Safety and Compensation Act. Administrative Staff in Programs and Services are available to assist members in the interpretation of the Act and Regulations and to help them navigate WorkplaceNL procedures as necessary.
A partial top-up to Workers’ Compensation benefits is available to members with LTD insurance who have experienced “lost time from work” accidents.
Professional Relations/Membership Discipline
Members’ professional interactions with colleagues are governed by the NLTA Code of Ethics. In situations where there are difficulties in working together professionally and the members’ efforts to resolve the difficulties have been unsuccessful, a request to the NLTA office leads to an investigation and, if possible, assistance in resolving the matter. Where allegations of unprofessional conduct are made against a member, procedures may be initiated under the NLTA disciplinary procedure.
Special Interest Councils
The NLTA has 16 Special Interest Councils (SICs): Council of Special Services; Deaf and Hard of Hearing/Blind and Visually Impaired; English Language Arts; Gender and Sexual Diversity; Health Education; Math/Science; NL Music Educators’ Association; NL Counsellors’ and Psychologists’ Association; Physical Education; Psychologists in Education; School Administrators; Second Language; Small Schools; Speech-Language Pathologists; Teacher-Librarians NL; and Technology in Education.
Councils serve the particular interests of the groups they represent and advise the Association on recommended policy or positions on areas related to their special interest. They also provide excellent professional development opportunities.
CONTACT Conference
The Conference on New Techniques and Classroom Teaching (CONTACT) is a joint project of the teacher associations of the Atlantic provinces: Newfoundland and Labrador Teachers’ Association (NLTA), Nova Scotia Teachers Union (NSTU), New Brunswick Teachers’ Association (NBTA) and Prince Edward Island Teachers’ Federation (PEITF). CONTACT is held in August each year and is hosted by each province on a rotating basis. Application is made in the spring, and a delegation is selected by the Professional Issues Committee. The costs of participation are partially subsidized.
Developing Successful Schools Institute
This leadership institute is held annually in July at Mount Allison University in Sackville, New Brunswick. Like CONTACT, DSS is a joint project of NLTA, NSTU, PEITF, NBTA, and the Public School Administration Association of Nova Scotia. The NB Department of Education and Early Childhood Development is also a sponsor for this event. The costs of participation are partially subsidized.
Educational Leave
Under Article 20 of the Provincial Collective Agreement (Article 31 for Labrador West) teachers can apply for and may receive paid (80% of salary) educational leave. Programs and Services staff advise teachers both before and following on the application and selection process and, along with a member of Provincial Executive, are part of the provincial committee that selects the successful applicants for leave. They also represent member concerns and intercede on behalf of members to ensure proper protocols are followed in the awarding of leaves.
Teacher Certification
Programs and Services staff, along with a member of Provincial Executive, serve on the provincial Teacher Certification Committee to represent the Association voice in the establishment of standards for the profession. Staff also liaise with the Registrar of Teachers on behalf of members who have concerns about their professional certification.
NLTA nominates one member of the three-person Teacher Certification Review Panel and staff provide assistance to members who have a matter being dealt with by the Review Panel.
Support for Beginning Teachers
The NLTA supports beginning teachers as they make the transition from pre-service education to entering the profession. Programs and Services staff provide information sessions and presentations regularly to MUN Faculty of Education students. When possible, the NLTA holds a conference for beginning teachers. The agenda is specific to the expressed needs of the novice teacher.
Teachers Talking to Teachers Program
The Teachers Talking to Teachers Program provides an opportunity for members to share expertise and innovative practice with colleagues. The program subsidizes expenses for members to travel within Newfoundland and Labrador to provide professional development to colleagues. Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis.
Teachers’ Professional Development Fund
This NLTA fund supports professional development initiatives by individuals. Members identify an area of personal professional interest which they wish to pursue through an out-of-province (or in-province between Labrador and the island) professional development session. An application process requires prior approval and applications are due on the third Thursday of each month during September to June.
Centennial Funds and Awards
Centennial Funds and Awards support continuing professional development. There are specific guidelines associated with each award and application. The deadline for the Centennial Study Award is on or before March 31. The National/International Conference Presenter and the Educational Research Awards are considered on an ongoing basis dependent on the availability of funds.
Project Overseas
Project Overseas is a joint endeavour by the Canadian Teachers’ Federation and its member organizations to give professional assistance to fellow teachers in developing countries. Project Overseas operates as a summer project, usually for two-three weeks in July. The deadline for applications to the NLTA changes each year and the successful applicant is selected by the Professional Issues Committee.
Workshops and Seminars
Staff design and deliver sessions on a variety of identified needs at the school, district, branch and provincial level. Workshops may be developed and offered on demand in consultation with schools and school districts or branches.
Members are encouraged to reach out to Programs and Services staff with as much advance notice as possible to plan for and schedule a workshop or seminar.
