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Dawson Teachers Union ---
www.dtu.qc.ca |
About the DTU
[Update: August 25, 2010 ]
Dawson Teachers Union |
Tel: (514) 931-8731, ext. 1799 |
Hours: Monday to Friday, 9–12 and 1–5 (room 8A.11). Closed Tues. between 10 and 1 p.m. for the Executive meeting. |
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At a glance
The Dawson Teachers' Union (DTU) is a non-profit organization representing all the teachers of Dawson College, Montreal. The Union exists to advance and protect the professional and social welfare of its members, to promote research in the field of education, and to protect its members' economic welfare by the securing of Collective Agreements.
The DTU Executive (DTU Office)
For 2010-2011, the elected DTU executive members are:
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Fred Jones - President - teaches Economics
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Yann Lamontagne - First vice-president - teaches Math
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Gabriel Tordjman - Second vice-president - teaches Humanities
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Emilie Richer - Secretary-Treasurer - teaches Math
DTU executive members occupy an elected position for which they release-time from teaching duties. Mandates last one year. Elections take place in the spring, for the following academic year.
The DTU office also enjoys the presence of one permanent DTU staff member: Elisabeth Leone - Administrative Assistant.
For any questions or inquiry related to your working conditions, contact us (room 8A.11 or local 1799). Speak with Elisabeth, or any of the DTU executive members.
The DTU Executive Council - A representative sample
The Executive Council is the decision making body between General Assemblies. It is composed of 20 elected teachers (with no release time) who represent different teaching sectors in the college, union committees or union wide groups. Mandates last one year. Elections take place in the spring, for the following academic year.
The 4 DTU executive members are ex officio members of the Executive Council.
For 2010-2011, your elected DTU Executive Council members are:
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Women's Committee Representative
Janice Harvey - local 1059 - Teaches History -
Non-Permanent Teachers' Committee Coordinator
Gleema Nambiar - Local 1576 - Teaches Sociology -
Educational Affairs Committee Representative
Michael Duckett - local 1465 - Teaches History -
Information Committee Representative
Sean Elliott - local 1469- Teaches Humanities -
Retirement Committee Representative
Joy Moore - local 5085 - Teaches Social Service -
Continuing Education Representative
Maria Dikeakos - Local 1758- Teaches Physics -
Teachers on Availability Representative
Sylvie Perron - Local 1589 - Teaches Spanish -
Arts Sector
Matlub Hussain - local 1301 - Teaches Economics
Dan Loomer - local 1568 - Teaches Sociology
David Olesik - local 1806 - Teaches Economics -
Careers Sector
Rosemary Barrett - local 5086- Teaches Social Service
Rebecca Dyck - local 1694 - Teaches Nursing
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Science Sector
Claudia Farnesi - local 1716 - Teaches Math
James Requeima - local 1774 - Teaches Math
Brian Seivewright - local 1664 - Teaches Chemical Technology
The Executive Council meets approximately once a month. More meetings may be required during periods of intense union activities (ex. negotiations).
When you want to share opinions, concerns, or make suggestions, contact one of your Executive Council members or a member of the executive.
Other DTU elected positions and committees
Other committees require the involment of elected DTU members. Mandates last one year. Elections take place in the spring, for the following academic year.
DTU executives sit as ex officio members of these committees.
Here is the list for 2010-2011:
C.R.T. Committee (Comité des relations de travail)
Michael Duckett - local 1465- Teaches History
Janice Harvey - local 1059 - Teaches History
David Olesik - local 1458- Teaches Economics-
Professional Development Fund Committee
Paul Hawkins - local 1503 - Teaches English
Matlub Hussain - local 1301 - Teaches Economics
How the local union works
The DTU is a democratic organisation.
The General Assembly of all DTU members is the ultimate decision maker. |
This explains why it is so important for union members to attend and participate in General Assemblies.
Remember: Decisions made by General Assemblies represent the will of the teachers who attended (if you don't attend you can't vote!).
All DTU members are entitled to participate in and vote at the General Assemblies--to become a member, send your completed application
form with the membership fee of $1 to the DTU office).
Between General Assemblies, and when the DTU Constitution permits it, some important decisions may be made by the Executive Council.
Day-to-day activities are managed by the local DTU executive with the help of Elisabeth Leone, the DTU office Administrative Assistant. One role of the DTU Executive is to present ideas and make recommendations to the General Assemblies and to the Executive Council, who will discuss those ideas and make final decisions.
What it means to be a DTU member
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DTU members have the right to take part in the debate and to vote at General Assemblies.
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DTU members must abide by decisions made by the General Assemblies, even when they disagree with those decisions.
How our union federation works-FNEEQ
The DTU belongs to a union federation called FNEEQ or the Fédération National des Enseignantes et Enseignants du Québec which is translated as the Federation of Quebec Teachers. FNEEQ is part of the union central called the CSN the Confédération des Syndicats Nationaux which translates as the Confederation of National Trade Unions. FNEEQ currently includes 40 cegep teachers’ unions with about 25,000 members, 31 private college unions and unions in a dozen universities including Concordia and McGill. which groups 40 unions of cegep teachers.
As a member of FNEEQ we are affilated with the CSN which gives the DTU the benefit of an organization that can disseminate information and mobilize members of other unions in defence of members’ rights as well as around social issues in education – for example the fight against tuition fees increases. It makes it easier to mobilize support for teachers problems through the Québec population. It is also a way of contributing not just to better conditions for teaching but also to the development of Quebec as a whole.
The main role of the federation is to provide support for unions with respect to collective agreements and arbitration. Within FNEEQ each teaching sector belongs to a separate group which looks after that sectors’ problems. The DTU belongs to the cegep group which meets regularly to discuss cegep union problems and to organize negotiations with the government. The universities and private educational institutions also have their group.
The cegep grouping
The cegep grouping is the main body dealing with cegep questions. It is responsible for organizing negotiations including developing the demands which are then voted on at local unoin general assemblies. Votes are taken by double majority both of union delegates and unions. As a result of our large size the DTU hs three delegates. The smallest unions have one delegate and middle sized union two. All questions about negotiation including demands and pressure tactics must be approved by a majority of union members voting and unions. This ensures that it is the union members in each college who are making the key decisions.
FNEEQ also h as broader bodies which address general issues in education. These are the Federal Council and the Congress and the Federal Bureau
Central Councils: In each region of Quebec, the CSN unions come together in a central council where they can discuss local and regional issues and develop solidarity between unions.
The DTU Executive, and a few teacher volunteers, represent DTU members at FNEEQ meetings.
This confirms that major decisions are not made by union executives, they are made by voting members, at General Assemblies.
Please participate.
NOTE: There is one other union federation representing cegep teachers: FEC-CSQ.
Collective Agreements
We currently continue to have in effect the agreement signed by FAC although we have changed to FNEEQ. However we will be negotiating our new collective agreement with FNEEQ.
Grievances
The Collective Agreement is a contract between teachers and the government established through negotiation. The quality of the contract depends on the unions establishing a rapport de force that can force the government to give into our demands.
At a local level, the government is represented by the local administrations (ex. our Dawson administrators). Teachers are represented by their local union (ex. the DTU).
When a problem occurs, DTU meets with the college administration to try to find an acceptable solution. If a solution is not found acceptable to the teacher and the union either pressure tactics can be begun to force the college to change its position or a grievance can be filed by either the teacher or the union. The DTU can bring a grievance to the CRT (Comité de relations de travail) where the DTU and the local administration meet to discuss issues. If there is still no satisfactory solution the teacher or the DTU can file a demand for arbitration. This will be heard before an arbitrator delegated from a list of arbitrators found in the collective agreement. The arbitrator's decision is binding. However in some cases either the government or the unions will appeal an arbitration decision to a court. At the hearing, teachers are represented by a FNEEQ counselor, free of charge. Most of the FNEEQ counselors are lawyers. All have considerable experience in arbitrations and with the contracts.
A teacher cannot file a grievance against another teacher. He or she can only file a grievance against the College (who represents the government).
The DTU Constitution
The DTU Constitution is the document that defines the various aspects of the structure and operation of the DTU. For instance, it is the DTU Constitution that defines the length of the mandates of the executives or that specifies that all DTU budgets must be approved at General Assemblies.
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DTU Constitution (.pdf document: 241 KB)
The DTU Finances
The DTU's financial records are audited each year, and reviewed and approved by the Executive Council.