Easy link to make Pakistan donations via the Red Cross

In response to the overwhelming need the Canadian Labour Congress is partnering with the Canadian Red Cross to assist in providing relief and aid to the victims of the Pakistan Floods.

Click on the banner above to go to a donation page set up by the Red Cross and the Canadian Labour Congress.  You'll be donating directly to the Red Cross, get a tax receipt, and you'll be making a donation in solidarity with other workers across Canada.

In times of great hardship and need, the labour movement shows the meaning of solidarity by mobilizing to bring support to workers, their families, and their communities at home and around the world.

The federal government's program of matching donations for Pakistan relief ends September 13th. Sign the petition to extend this deadline.  Update: Deadline extended to October 2nd!

Research Study on Professional Learning for OTs

The University of Western Ontario is conducting research into occasional teachers' professional learning, and how best to provide occasional teachers with professional learning.

If you are interested in participating in this anonymous online survey, please send an e-mail (before June 10th, 2010) to otproflearning@uwo.ca and a survey link will be sent to you.  Once data analysis is complete, another link will be sent to you so that you can access a report of the findings.

If you need additional information, e-mail Katina Pollock (kpolloc7@uwo.ca) or call (519) 661-2111 ext. 82855.

Easy link to make Haiti donations via the Red Cross

Click on the banner above to go to a donation page set up by the Red Cross and the Canadian Labour Congress.  You'll be donating directly to the Red Cross, get a tax receipt, and you'll be making a donation in solidarity with other workers across Canada.

The Red Cross has set up an information page on the work that's been done in Haiti.

Niagara OT Local hosting a CLiFF screening!

The ETFO Niagara OT Local will be hosting a screening of a selection of films from the Canadian Labour International Film Festival (CLiFF), on Sunday, November 29th from 3pm - 5pm, at the ETFO office in Fonthill.  We will be screening seven short films ranging from "Dear John" about the closing of John Deere in Welland, to "Invisible Force: Women workers in Pakistan" which chronicles the story of millions of women workers in Pakistan who are unaccounted for in official figures.

Films on schedule (click here for descriptions):

Six Weeks of Solidarity,
Dear John,
Hold the Line,
Painting Red Square,
Northland: Long Journey,
Invisible Force: Women workers in Pakistan,
Just another cog in the machine

This event is open to all, so bring friends and family!

Refreshments will be provided.

For new members (or members who want to learn more) we're also hosting a Welcome to ETFO event from 1pm-3pm prior to the CLiFF screening.

ETFO's position on Full-Day Kindergarten

Please view the above message from Sam Hammond, President of ETFO Provincial. In it, he outlines ETFO's position on full-day kindergarten, and our concerns about the government's plan to have certified teachers only teach half-day kindergarten, and non-certified personnel in charge of students for the remainder of the school day.

As Sam points out, if we allow this to happen in kindergarten, it sets the precedent for it to happen in any grade.

For more information on the full-day kindergarten issue, click here.

UPDATE: Success!