OSSTF/FEESO Judicial Council is looking for new members

The Provincial Executive is seeking to fill three (3) vacancies on the OSSTF/FEESO Judicial Council (JC). A member selected for appointment to Judicial Council by the Provincial Executive will serve a five (5) year term, effective July 1, 2024.

While we are accepting applications from all members in good standing, special consideration will be given to applicants who identify as Black, First Nations, Métis, Inuit, Francophone, 2SLGBTQI+, Person Living with a Disability, Racialized and/or a Woman.

Judicial Council members must be able to receive time release from their employer.

There is a minimum of three (3) meetings per year for the council, not including hearings. In previous years, the number of days Judicial Council panelists have been present for hearings has ranged from zero (0) to ten (10) or more days throughout the year. Dependent care, mileage, meals, hotel stays, and release time payment options are provided.

Role of Judicial Council:

Judicial Council (JC) is a body tasked with determining if there has been a violation of the Provincial Constitution and Bylaws by a Member.

As outlined in Bylaw 6, some of the areas that JC deals with are: members violating sanctions/crossing picket lines during the negotiation of collective agreements; members making adverse reports to employers about other members; releasing information and breaking confidentiality of meetings; issues arising out of the performance of duties of an office as they relate to Provincial Council, a District, and/or a Bargaining Unit Executive; etc.

Specific details on the Judicial Council processes may be found in Procedure 5 in the OSSTF/FEESO Policy and Procedures document accessible on the OSSTF/FEESO Provincial website: www.osstf.on.ca under the Quick Links Tab—Constitution, Bylaws, Policies.

Generally, however, the duties of Judicial Council include to:

1. Provide members to act on formal Hearing Committees to adjudicate cases filed under Bylaw 6;
2. Provide a minimum of three (3) members to act as the panel in a formal hearing of Judicial Council; and
3. Conduct hearings in accordance with Bylaws and regulations governing hearings as approved by the Provincial Assembly or Provincial Council and shall, following its decision, forward its decision to the Provincial Executive for implementation.

Professional Development and Training:
Successful applicants will receive ongoing OSSTF/FEESO training on provincial structures of OSSTF/FEESO, on conflict resolution approaches, about the key requirements of natural justice, rules of evidence at hearings, and how penalties are to be determined in cases of guilty verdicts.

Prior to being a voting JC Panel member on a Formal Hearing Committee, new JC Members would typically be provided with the opportunity of participating as a non-voting observer in at least one (1) Formal JC Hearing.

Qualifications and Experience:

1. Previous experience in successful conflict resolution would be beneficial.
2. Interest in quasi-legal proceedings.
3. Bilingualism in French and English would be an asset.

Deadline for Application:
Monday, June 24, 2024

Application Process:
Interested candidates are to submit the following documents to Jade Sullivan, Administrative Assistant to Judicial Council via e-mail (jade.sullivan@osstf.ca), or by mail to (49 Mobile Drive, Toronto, ON M4A 1H5), fax 416-751-3875 by 4:00 p.m. on Monday, June 24, 2024.

1. A letter of application outlining their suitability for the position; and
2. The name and contact information of two (2) OSSTF/FEESO members, of which one may be a retired member, who may be contacted as a reference as part of the selection process.

The Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation (OSSTF/FEESO) is dedicated to equity, anti-racism and anti-oppression while protecting and enhancing public education. OSSTF/FEESO values the participation of members with various lived experiences. We actively seek and welcome applications from First Nations, Métis, Inuit, and/or equity-seeking members. Self-identification is voluntary. If you choose to self-identify, please complete the attached OSSTF/FEESO Voluntary Self-Identification Form with your application by emailing it to jade.sullivan@osstf.ca.

Attachments
OSSTF/FEESO Voluntary Self-Identification Form