The TBU and OTBU HAVE MERGED, 
​EFFECTIVE July 1, 2025!

April 7 Amalgamation Meeting and Vote

Picture
  • A general meeting for the members of the Teachers’ Bargaining Unit (TBU) and the Occasional Teachers’ Bargaining Unit (OTBU) was held on Monday, April 7, 2025 at the Bayshore Community Centre in Owen Sound, with 18 members (some of whom are members of both bargaining units) and 1 guest in attendance. 
  • The Amalgamation Committee would like to thank 
    • Kevin Smith, of the District 7 Office Professionals & Technicians bargaining unit, for chairing our meeting;
    • Kerrie Lynn Boys and Owen Ferguson for serving as the Anti-Harassment Officers, and 
    • Kathryn Vogan and Kerrie Lynn Boys for acting as scrutineers for the ballot count. 
    • Thank you as well to all the members who attended! 
  • The agenda included a review of the amalgamation process, a summary of the proposed constitution for the merged bargaining unit, a Q&A session, and balloting on the proposed motion. The motion and the proposed constitution had been shared multiple times via email with all members of both bargaining units, and members in attendance had the opportunity to review the document and ask questions of the amalgamation committee. 
  • The motion: BE IT RESOLVED THAT, effective July 1, 2025, the OSSTF District 7 Teachers’ Bargaining Unit (TBU) and the Occasional Teachers’ Bargaining Unit (OTBU) shall amalgamate to form the Secondary Teachers’ Bargaining Unit (STBU), to be governed by the proposed Constitution, as presented.
  • Since introducing a new constitution involves amendments to the articles, the vote count threshold for the merger motion was 2/3, as per the amendments to the articles in the current TBU and OTBU Constitutions. Each bargaining unit had to hold a separate vote, and each bargaining unit would have to approve the motion with 67% in favour. 
  • The results of the vote were: 
    • TBU: 13 members voted; 12 in favour, 1 opposed, 0 spoiled ballots (92.3% in favour) 
    • OTBU: 8 members voted; 8 in favour, 0 opposed, 0 spoiled ballots (100% in favour) 
  • As a result, effective July 1, 2025, the Secondary Teachers' Bargaining Unit (STBU) will come into existence, replacing the TBU and OTBU. 
  • The Constitution of the new bargaining unit has been posted below. Please note that the 2024 Constitutions of both bargaining units are in effect until June 30, 2025, and the new Constitution takes effect on July 1, 2025. 

May 12 Annual General MeetinG

  • The first AGM of the new Secondary Teachers’ Bargaining Unit (STBU) will take place on Monday, May 12, 2025 at the Best Western Inn on the Bay in Owen Sound. 
  • At the AGM, elections will take place for the newly-created STBU, including the election of 
    • the Executive (President, Chief Negotiator, Vice-President, Secretary-Treasurer, and 2 District Councillors) and 
    • the Officers (Educational Services Officer, Equity Officer, Health & Safety Officer, Human Rights / Status of Women Officer, and Political Action Officer).
  • Nominations are due on Monday, April 28, 2025. See below for the Nomination Form. 
  • There will also be an opportunity to propose and debate changes to the new STBU Constitution. Members who have resolutions (i.e. amendments to the Constitution) that they wish to have debated at the meeting are requested to submit them in writing to [email protected] as soon as possible. Please see the 2025 STBU Constitution, posted above, for more details. 
    • The vote count required to pass resolutions concerning amendments to the constitution, including its articles, bylaws, definitions, procedures, and policies, depends on when they are submitted. 
    • The lowest vote-count threshold is for resolutions submitted at least thirty days prior to the AGM. Resolutions received on or before April 12, 2025 require a 2/3 vote for amendments to the articles, and a 1/2 vote for amendments to the bylaws, definitions, procedures, or policies. 
    • A higher vote count is required for resolutions submitted at least ten days prior to the AGM. Resolutions received between April 13 and May 2 require a 3/4 vote for amendments to the articles, and a 2/3 vote for amendments to the bylaws, definitions, procedures, or policies. 
    • The highest required vote count is for resolutions submitted less than ten days prior to the AGM, including those submitted from the floor of the meeting. Resolutions received after May 2 require a 9/10 vote for amendments to the articles, and a 3/4 vote for amendments to the bylaws, definitions, procedures, or policies. 
  • Following the adjournment of the AGM, the OT branch will elect their 2025-26 Branch President. 
  • Branch Presidents at all 9 secondary schools will be selling dinner tickets for the May 12 AGM until May 5. Dinner tickets are $20 each, but the $20 will be REFUNDED to all members who attend the AGM and present their tickets. (This is to ensure we have accurate numbers in advance for the meal, which costs a great deal more than $20).