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Frequently Asked QuestionsWhat's the best time to call PAM?Do I receive Dental and Health Benefits of any sort? Is there Seniority for OTs? What is the daily rate for an STO day and when will I receive an increase? How can I make changes to the list of schools the PAM System will contact me for? What should I do about accepting a late call for work on PAM? How much extra duty am I expected to do in addition to the regular teacher's 3 classes? I came to school and was told that the job had been posted in error and I wasn't needed. They sent me home. Can they do that? Are STOs eligible for Employment Insurance? What's the best time to call PAM? Anytime outside the regular call-out hours. For example, if you call in or search the website during the evening (8:30 -- 10:30) the computer is busy with call-outs and you are unlikely to be able to connect -- but your call slows the system down for everyone else. When you do call in, don't forget to press 9 to disconnect before hanging up. Hanging up without disconnecting leaves the line open and unavailable while the computer waits -up to five minutes- for a response. (Computers aren't very bright.) Do I receive Dental and Health Benefits of any sort? You may choose to enroll in the Board’s benefits plan, but you are responsible for paying the entire premium. Check the Secondary OT Handbook (orange) in the OT Mailbox at the school for the current premium rates. Is there Seniority for OTs? No there is not. What is the daily rate for an STO day and when will I receive an increase? The most recent proposed increses are (for each full day of work):
Phone the Dispatch Desk at (905) 890-1010 ext. 2460 to request that a change be made. What should I do about accepting a late call for work on PAM? You should accept the job. It would be considerate of you to call the school to inform them what will be your estimated time of arrival (calling the school is no longer "required" as a part of our collective agreement, if you were called late; but if you are late for some other reason, some communication from you ahead of time would often be expected). How much extra duty am I expected to do in addition to the regular teacher's 3 classes? Because regular teachers are required to perform duty in addition to their 3 classes per day, we can be too; and we may be assigned an additional half class on-call or supervision, but not both." That is normal. What is of particular interest to your union is when an administrator assigns the equivalent of 4 classes without appropriate "extenuating circumstances" being present. Article 11 of the current Collective Agreement states, "The Principal shall make every effort to assign the Occasional Teacher a timetable as close to that of the absent teacher as possible, subject to the workload limitations of the regular teacher except in extenuating circumstances." Of course, that's subject to interpretation; but if you feel you've been misused, Call the PSOT office and leave a message about the situation. Let us know the date, the school, the VP's name, and any other pertinent details. I came to school and was told that the job had been posted in error and I wasn't needed. They sent me home. Can they do that? They can do what they want, but you are partially protected under your contract: Article 19.01. Here's what you do. Tell the VP very politely that you were hired for this job, you have a job number, you have arrived at work, and you are going to be paid a half day even if you are sent home. These are all facts (provided that you record your job number) and not subject to debate. Don't argue; just explain. At that point, your VP will probably resolve the situation quietly. If not, call us and leave a message, letting us know the date, the school, the VP's name, the job number, and any other pertinent details. Sometimes, confusion about a day worked can result in a delay of one pay period. If the pay date for the job passes and you haven't been paid, try calling PAM to see if there's a record of the day on the system. (This is where you need the job number.) If that doesn't resolve the matter, call us. Are STOs eligible for Employment Insurance? Under certain conditions, yes. The teacher must have accumulated sufficient insured hours (approximately 83 days) within the Qualifying Period. Insured hours from occupations other than teaching may be included in the total. EI distinguishes between "non-teaching periods" and actual unemployment, but offers exceptions for occasionals. It's complicated, but if you think you have enough hours, start checking at the EI website or at your local EI office. |
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