OSSTF/FEESO Strategic Action Plan 2023-2024

The following is a summary of the OSSTF/FEESO Strategic Action Plan 2023-2024, which will be presented at AMPA 2023 for discussion and approval.

In Defense of Our Membership – Organizing for Better Schools, Stronger Communities

This year’s Strategic Action Plan will include a couple of new initiatives as well as ones that need additional time to complete. The initiatives proposed this year will position the Federation to defend and safeguard against attacks on publicly funded education and enhance our Districts and Bargaining Units’ ability to protect and represent our membership.

Organizing for Better Schools, Stronger Communities

The work of the Organizing for Better Schools, Stronger Communities Ad-Hoc Work Group will continue to build the infrastructure in our districts and at the provincial office to ensure that we foster positive, productive relationships between organizations, communities, and our Members so that we can work together to grow a more fair, just, and equitable society.  The 2023-2024 Strategic Action Plan will conclude the work of the Community Organizing Work Group and create an implementation workgroup for the 2023-2024 Federation year.

The Advisory Work Group will work with Districts and other unions to develop resources, supports and materials for OSSTF/FEESO. Once the organizing materials have been designed to meet OSSTF/FEESO needs, OSSTF/FEESO will host an Organizing Institute, where Districts will be given resources, training, and support. We intend that the training will also be deployed at a Regional and local level to build the necessary infrastructure to transform how OSSTF/FEESO shows up in our communities to defend publicly funded education.

Data Collection on Employer Discipline of Members

The Action Plan to Support Equity, Anti-Racism and Anti-Oppression is committed to collecting data on employer discipline of Members to examine disparities in disciplinary action. To fulfil this commitment, we will need to fund research on best practices for data collection and create a systematic process for data collection. As is the case with any data collection process, we recognize there will be challenges with the collection of this data, however, once collected, the data would help us determine next steps and formulate a plan to better protect the membership.

Training Review

The Provincial Office offers members a broad spectrum of training on various topics.  When you add up the total funding dedicated to training opportunities, prorating those offered biennially or triennially, OSSTF/FEESO allocates approximately $2.3 million annually to training for presidents, local executive Members and other elected or appointed leaders in Districts and Bargaining Units.  OSSTF/FEESO will create an Ad Hoc Work Group to conduct a fulsome review of training opportunities for presidents, local executive Members, and others engaged in training provided by OSSTF/FEESO.

Broadening International Coalitions

Provincial Office staff continue to review the many international coalitions and programs in which OSSTF/FEESO participates. This includes taking a complete inventory of those 8 coalitions and programs and developing criteria for the federation’s participation in future international coalitions and programs.  This work and the broader review of our international funding commitments will be completed by the end of the 2022/2023 Federation year and recommendations will be communicated to a future meeting of Provincial Council.

Equity, Anti-Racism, and Anti-Oppression Training

Last year saw the completion of several action items related to equity, anti-racism, and anti-oppression training. Additionally, the creation of an Equity, Anti-Racism, and Anti-Oppression Bargaining Unit Officer within OSSTF/FEESO’s provincial constitution will support the local implementation of the OSSTF/FEESO Equity, Anti-Racism and Anti-Oppression Action Plan. These changes will help with the provision of training, resources, and supports at the Bargaining Unit level.

The Strategic Action Plan (SAP) ensures that the work in the Action Plan remains a funded priority. This crucial and ongoing work is supported by a provincial In-House Equity Team (provincial staff); an Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Coordinator; the provincial Equity Advisory Work Group (Members); and an In-House Equity Work Group (provincial staff and senior management).

Other programs continuing:

Grievance/Arbitration and Member Tracking

Mental Health First Aid

Conclusions

Since its inception, the Strategic Action Plan has placed the organization’s focus on issues fundamental to the Federation’s ongoing operation and support of its Members. This year’s plan seeks to build on the strength of our relationships within our communities while also broadening and enhancing our provincial, national, and international partnerships. Our sustained and supported effort to build a more equitable, diverse, and inclusive union will be at the core of all this work.