The following motions were received on February 20 to amend the District Constitution at the 2026 AGM:
Bylaw 9.1.1
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the District 13 Durham Constitution, Bylaw 9.1.1 be amended by addition of “Bargaining Unit Presidents,” between “President and Vice-Presidents”.
The following motions are to address the change in Term of Office from one to two years, and to set, set-up the election schedule and drop-down beginning at the 2027 District AGM. Other changes include having a First VP and Other VPs (to remove ranking).
Article 1.17
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the District 13 Durham Constitution, Article 1.17 be amended by substitution to read:
1.17 TERM OF OFFICE shall mean the term of office for all elected members of the District Council and shall run for two years from July 1 to June 30 according to the election schedule in Bylaw 5. All appointed positions shall be one year from July 1 to June 30.
Article 6.1.1.3
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the District 13 Durham Constitution, Article 6.1.1.3 be amended by the insertion of “: one First District Vice-President and three Other District Vice-Presidents”
Bylaw 6.2.2
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the District 13 Durham Constitution, Bylaw 6.2.2 be amended by substitution to read:
6.2.2 It shall be the duty of the other Vice-Presidents to:
6.2.2.1 carry out duties as assigned by the District President
Bylaw 8.1
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the District 13 Durham Constitution, Bylaw 8.1 be amended by substitution to read:
8.1 Elections shall be held for the following positions at the Annual General Meeting
8.1.1 every odd numbered year:
8.1.1.1 District President
8.1.1.2 Two (2) Other District Vice-Presidents
8.1.2 every even numbered year:
8.1.2.1 First District Vice-President
8.1.2.2 One (1) Other District Vice-President
8.1.2.3 District Secretary, District Treasurer or District Secretary/Treasurer
8.1.3 Notwithstanding 8.1.1 and 8.1.2 for the 2027 election year, all positions will be elected with 8.1.2 being one-year terms only.
Bylaw 8.2
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the District 13 Durham Constitution, Bylaw 8.2 be amended by substitution to read:
8.2 Any Member of District 13 may be candidates for any elected position and may not hold more than two elected positions at the District level at one time.
8.2.1 The positions of District President and District Treasurer or District Secretary/Treasurer positions cannot be held by one elected person.
Bylaw 8.3
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the District 13 Durham Constitution, Bylaw 8.3 be deleted.
Bylaw 8.6.2
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the District 13 Durham Constitution, Bylaw 8.6.2 be amended by substitution to read:
8.6.2 The election for District President or District First Vice-President will be held near the beginning of the meeting. When three (3) or more candidates are running for the office of District President or District First Vice-President, or any other single office, the voter will rank the candidates in order of preference, 1,2,3, etc. and the ballots will be counted as in the Australian Preferential Ballot, the candidate first gaining a majority of the votes cast being elected. As soon as the counting of the ballots for President is complete, the result will be announced. The defeated candidates for President can then agree or decline to have their names added to the list of nominees for Other District Vice-President.
8.6.2.1 Notwithstanding 8.6.2 for the 2027 election year, unsuccessful candidates for the office positions of:
8.6.2.1.1 District President can agree or decline to have their names added to the list of nominees for First District Vice-President; and
8.6.2.1.2 First District Vice-President can agree or decline to have their names added to the list of nominees for either a two-year term or one-year term for Other District Vice-Presidents.
Bylaw 8.6.3
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the District 13 Durham Constitution, Bylaw 8.6.3 be amended by substitution to read:
8.6.3 The election for the Other District Vice-Presidents will then be held.
8.6.3.1 Notwithstanding 8.6.3 for the 2027 election year, election for the office position of Other District Vice-President (two-year term) will be held first, then the election for the office position of Other District Vice-President (one-year term) will then be held.
Bylaw 8.6.4
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the District 13 Durham Constitution, Bylaw 8.6.4 be amended by substitution to read:
8.6.4 In the event of a tie when voting for Other District Vice-President, where the results of breaking the tie will determine if an individual will be part of the District Executive, a run-off vote of the tied candidates shall be taken by the membership at the Annual General Meeting.
Bylaw 8.6.7
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the District 13 Durham Constitution, Bylaw 8.6.7 be amended by the insertion of “First District Vice-President or Other” before “District Vice-President”.
Bylaw 8.6.10
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the District 13 Durham Constitution, Bylaw 8.6.10 be amended by the deletion of “one year” and the insertion of “two years”.
To download a printable version of these motions, please click here.
The following motions were received on March 12 to amend the District Constitution at the 2026 AGM:
Title
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the District 13 Constitution title be amended by substitution with the following words,
Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation/Féderation des Enseignantes-Enseignants de l’Ontario (OSSTF/FEESO) District 13 Durham Constitution, Bylaws and Policies.
Local Name
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the District 13 Constitution be amended by the addition of the words “/Féderation des Enseignantes-Enseignants de l’Ontario” after the words “Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation” throughout the entire document.
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the District 13 Constitution by amended by the addition of the words “/FEESO” after the word “OSSTF” throughout the entire document.
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the District 13 Constitution Article 3.1 be amended by substitution with the following words:
The name of the District shall be Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation/ Féderation des Enseignantes-Enseignants de l’Ontario (OSSTF/FEESO) District 13 Durham
Article 6.1
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the District 13 Constitution Article 6 District Organization, sub section 6.1 District Executive, sub section 6.1.1.2, be amended by substitution with the following words: Bargaining Unit Presidents and an additional member appointed by each Bargaining Unit Executive (6) .
District 13 Policies
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the District 13 Bylaws, District 13 Policies section be amended by the addition of policy and procedure number 4 Anti-harassment and Anti-Discrimination Policy and Procedure to read as follows:
4. Anti-Harassment and Anti-Discrimination Policy
Let us not take thought for our separate interests, but let us help one another.
A member of OSSTF/FEESO has the right to a workplace and union environment free from harassment and bullying.
Harassment and discrimination are not joking matters. They have a destructive effect on the workplace environment, individual wellbeing, and union solidarity. Such actions are not only destructive, they can be illegal.
Harassment and discrimination can take many forms and may be verbal, physical or psychological. They can involve a wide range of actions including comments, gestures or looks, pictures, messages, touching, or more aggressive actions. These acts may be indirect or overt; they may be isolated or repeated.
Inadvertent, hidden and systemic harassment and discrimination must be identified and addressed. The roots of systemic harassment and discrimination include but are not limited to racism, sexism, and homophobia and transphobia. OSSTF/FEESO does not condone harassment or discrimination on the basis of age, national or ethnic origin, colour, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, socio-economic status or mental or physical disability.
Acts of harassment and discrimination are always degrading, unwelcome and coercive. They are always unacceptable.
As members of OSSTF/FEESO, our goal must be to protect human rights, to promote mutual respect and trust, and to foster inclusion.
We cannot condone or tolerate intimidating, demeaning, hostile and aggressive behaviour against another member. We cannot condone these behaviours when we witness them.
As OSSTF/FEESO members, we must speak out against this conduct and stand together to protect human rights. We must take action.
OSSTF/FEESO is committed to strengthening member solidarity, and in addition to representing members’ interests in the workplace, takes seriously its own responsibility to ensure that members are treated with respect and dignity at all provincially sponsored OSSTF/FEESO events and meetings.
Any member who feels targeted by harassment or discrimination must be able to speak up and know their concerns will be responded to immediately in accordance with OSSTF/FEESO Bylaws and the Resolution and Complaint Process as found in the OSSTF/FEESO Policies and Procedures.”
Anti-Harassment and Anti-Discrimination Procedure
A member who believes they have been the target of harassment or discrimination at an OSSTF/FEESO meeting or event is encouraged to take immediate action to ensure this behaviour is stopped.
As a first step, the member should make it clear to the perpetrator that they find the behaviour offensive, and ask that it be stopped.
This can be done personally, either in writing or verbally, or with the assistance of a third party.
If the behaviour recurs or persists, or if the member does not feel safe in approaching the perpetrator directly, they should speak with the designated representative and ask them to act.
If no representative has been designated, the member should speak with the executive member in charge to ask that one be appointed.
The designated representative(s) will investigate the complaint promptly, including separately interviewing the parties involved and any witnesses, with a view to resolving the problem informally. During this process, the designated
representative(s), with the approval of the executive member in charge, may remove the respondent temporarily from the meeting if circumstances warrant.
The investigation shall be handled confidentially; however, all complaints will be reported by the designated representative(s) to the General Secretary of Provincial OSSTF/FEESO.
If the complaint cannot be resolved informally, the complainant will be asked to put the complaint and all relevant information in writing.
If the complainant chooses to provide such a written complaint, it will be submitted to the General Secretary for action and it shall be the joint responsibility of the General Secretary and the Secretariat in charge to conduct an investigation, determine if the behaviour falls under the definition of harassment, and decide on appropriate remedial action. While conducting the investigation, the general secretary and Secretariat will be informed by an understanding of the systemic roots of discrimination and harassment as expressed in the OSSTF/FEESO Equity Statement.
The parties involved will receive a written report stating the findings and any action taken.
Resolutions may include but are not limited to apologies, mediation, warnings, temporarily limiting access, or removal/exclusion from the meeting or event. If a decision is made to remove or exclude that member, and where this member is representing a bargaining unit or district, a confidential letter outlining the reasons for this decision will be sent to the president of the appropriate body. The General Secretary shall keep a confidential file of all records and reports related to the investigation of written complaints for a period of five years.
Decisions may be reviewed by the Appeal Committee of Provincial Council on the request of a member, as outlined in the OSSTF/FEESO Policies and Procedures.
None of the above restricts a member’s right to file a complaint with the Ontario Human Rights Commission or make a complaint to police.
Article 7.2
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the District 13 Constitution Article 7, District Meetings, subsection 7.2, be amended by addition of the words “or on the written request of 2 executive members or on the written request of 5 members.” to read:
“District Executive meetings shall be called as necessary, or on the written request of 2 executive members, or on the written request of 5 members.”
Article 7.3
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the District 13 Constitution Article 7, District Meetings, subsection 7.3, be amended by addition of the words “or on the written request of a Bargaining Unit Executive or on the written request of 5 members.” to read:
“General or Special Membership Meetings shall be called as necessary or on the written request of a Bargaining Unit Executive or on the written request of 5 members.”
Bylaw 4.1.1
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the District 13 Bylaws, Bylaw 4 subsection 4.1.1 be amended by addition of the words “or at the written request of 5 members.” to read:
“meet at the call of the District president, or at the written request of 2 members of the District executive or at the written request of 5 members.”
Bylaw 4.1
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the District 13 Bylaws, Bylaw 4 subsection 4.1.2 be amended by substitution to read:
“receive, and amend as necessary, the proposed District budget for the subsequent fiscal year which allocates funding from the Provincial District Rebate to the Bargaining Units,
after consultation with each bargaining unit,
after approval of each bargaining unit,
and after a General or Special Membership Meeting called for the purpose of informing the membership of the proposed budget, soliciting input and amendments to the proposed budget.”
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the District 13 Bylaws, Bylaw 4 be amended by addition of subsections after 4.1.2 that will read:
4.1.x prepare and present the proposed budget for the subsequent fiscal year to the membership of the District Annual Meeting for approval.
4.1.x prepare and present a statement of income and expenditures for the current fiscal year to the membership of the District Annual Meeting
Article 7.1
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the District 13 Constitution Article 7, District Meetings, subsection 7.1 be amended by substitution to read:
“District Council shall meet at a minimum of four (4) times per year or at the written request of 2 members of the District executive or at the written request of 5 members.”
Bylaw 5.1.1
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the District 13 Bylaws, Bylaw 5 Duties of District Council, subsection 5.1.1, be amended by the addition of the words
“or at the written request of 2 members of the District executive or at the written request of 5 members.” to read:
“meet at the call of the District president or at the written request of 2 members of the District executive or at the written request of 5 members to discuss District business.”
Bylaw 3
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the District 13 Bylaws, Bylaw 3-Duties of Members be amended by the addition of a subsection to read :
3.x It shall be the duty of members attending the District Annual Meeting to receive a financial report of income and expenditures of the district for the current fiscal year to date and to receive and approve the proposed budget of the district for the subsequent fiscal year.
To download a printable version of these motions, please click here.
The following motions were received on February 25 to amend the TBU Constitution at the 2026 AGM:
Bylaw 12
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the District 13 Durham Teachers’ Bargaining Unit Constitution, Bylaw 12.1 be amended by substitution to read:
12.1 TBU members shall be assessed a levy of 0.15% of gross salary.
Bylaw 13
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the District 13 Durham Teachers’ Bargaining Unit Constitution, Bylaw 13.2 be amended by the deletion of “not exceed 3 full time equivalent positions” and the addition of “be determined by the budget process and the collective agreement.”
Article 5.4
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the District 13 Durham Teachers’ Bargaining Unit Constitution, Article 5.4.1 be amended by the deletion of “DDSB @ Home” and the insertion of “Centres for Success” and “Unnamed North Oshawa School (name to be updated once released)”.
Bylaw 17
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the District 13 Durham Teachers’ Bargaining Unit Constitution, Bylaw 17 be amended by substitution to read:
17.1 Childcare or dependent care expenses to allow member to attend TBU activities will be reimbursed in accordance with Provincial OSSTF Expenditure Guidelines.
The following motions are to address the change in Term of Office from One to Two years and to set, set-up the election schedule and drop-downs beginning at the 2027 TBU AGM. Other changes include having a First VP and Other VPs (to remove ranking); clarifying that TBU Representatives are members of TBU and should have the right to vote and run for elected positions; and to update the time for speeches as Additional TBU Councillor(s) and AMPA Representatives were missed when the constitution was revised last year.
Article 1.16
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the District 13 Durham Teachers’ Bargaining Unit Constitution, Article 1.16 be amended by substitution to read:
1.16 TERM OF OFFICE shall mean the term of office for all elected members of the TBU Executive at the TBU Annual General Meeting and shall run for two years from July 1 to June 30 according to the election schedule in Bylaw 5. All appointed positions shall be one year from July 1 to June 30.
Article 5.1
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the District 13 Durham Teachers’ Bargaining Unit Constitution, Article 5.1.1 be amended by substitution to read:
5.1.1 There shall be a Bargaining Unit Executive consisting of:
5.1.1.1 the President;
5.1.1.2 four Vice-Presidents (one First Vice-President and three Other Vice-Presidents);
5.1.1.3 the Secretary, the Treasurer, or Secretary/Treasurer;
5.1.1.4 the Additional TBU Provincial Councillor(s);
5.1.1.5 the Leads of TBU Standing Committees;
5.1.1.6 the Anti-Oppression and Social Justice Lead;
5.1.1.7 the TBU Representatives; and
5.1.1.8 the TBU Negotiator
Bylaw 4.2
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the District 13 Durham Teachers’ Bargaining Unit Constitution, Bylaw 4.2.2 be amended by substitution to read:
4.2.2 It shall be the duty of the other Vice-Presidents to:
4.2.2.1 carry out duties as assigned by the TBU President
Bylaws 5.1
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the District 13 Durham Teachers’ Bargaining Unit Constitution, Bylaw 5.1 be deleted.
Bylaws 5.2
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the District 13 Durham Teachers’ Bargaining Unit Constitution, Bylaw 5.2 be deleted.
Bylaw 5.3
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the District 13 Durham Teachers’ Bargaining Unit Constitution, Bylaw 5.3 be amended by substitution to read:
5.3 Elections shall be held for the following positions at the Annual General Meeting
5.3.1 every odd numbered year:
5.3.1.1 TBU President
5.3.1.2 Two (2) Other TBU Vice-Presidents
5.3.1.3 TBU Secretary, TBU Treasurer or TBU Secretary/Treasurer
5.3.2 every even numbered year:
5.3.2.1 First TBU Vice-President
5.3.2.2 One (1) Other TBU Vice-President
5.3.2.3 Additional TBU Provincial Councillor(s)
5.3.3 every year:
5.3.3.1 AMPA Representatives
5.3.4 Notwithstanding 5.3.1 and 5.3.2 for the 2027 election year, all positions will be elected with 5.3.2 being one-year terms only.
Bylaw 5.4
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the District 13 Durham Teachers’ Bargaining Unit Constitution, Bylaw 5.4 be amended by substitution to read:
5.4 Any Member of the TBU may be candidates for any elected position and may not hold more than two elected positions at one time.
5.4.1 The positions of TBU President and Treasurer or Secretary/Treasurer positions cannot be held by one elected person.
Bylaw 5.7.2
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the District 13 Durham Teachers’ Bargaining Unit Constitution, Bylaw 5.7.2 be amended by substitution to read:
5.7.2 The election for TBU President or TBU First Vice-President will be held near the beginning of the meeting. When three (3) or more candidates are running for the office of TBU President or TBU First Vice-President, or any other single office, the voter will rank the candidates in order of preference, 1,2,3, etc. and the ballots will be counted as in the Australian Preferential Ballot, the candidate first gaining a majority of the votes cast being elected. As soon as the counting of the ballots for President or First Vice-President is complete, the result will be announced. The defeated candidates for President or First Vice-President can then agree or decline to have their names added to the list of nominees for Other TBU Vice-President.
5.7.2.1 Notwithstanding 5.7.2 for the 2027 election year, unsuccessful candidates for the office positions of:
5.7.2.1.1 TBU President can agree or decline to have their names added to the list of nominees for First TBU President; and
5.7.2.1.2 TBU First Vice-President can agree or decline to have their names added to the list of nominees for either a two-year term or one-year term for Other TBU Vice-Presidents.
Bylaw 5.7.3
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the District 13 Durham Teachers’ Bargaining Unit Constitution, Bylaw 5.7.3 be amended by substitution to read:
5.7.3 The election for the Other TBU Vice-Presidents will then be held.
5.7.3.1 Notwithstanding 5.7.3 for the 2027 election year, election for the office position of Other TBU Vice-President (two-year term) will be held first, then the election for the office position of Other TBU Vice-President (one-year term) will then be held.
Bylaw 5.7.4
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the District 13 Durham Teachers’ Bargaining Unit Constitution, Bylaw 5.7.4 be amended by substitution to read:
5.7.4 In the event of a tie when voting for Other TBU Vice-President, where the results of breaking the tie will determine if an individual will be part of the TBU Executive, a run-off vote of the tied candidates shall be taken by the membership at the Annual General Meeting.
Bylaw 5.7.6
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the District 13 Durham Teachers’ Bargaining Unit Constitution, Bylaw 5.7.6 be amended by substitution to read:
5.7.6 At the Annual General Meeting, candidates for the office of TBU President shall be allowed five (5) minutes to speak; candidates for the office of First or Other TBU Vice-President shall be allowed three (3) minutes to speak; candidate(s) for the positions of TBU Treasurer, and TBU Secretary or TBU Secretary/Treasurer, Additional Bargaining Unit Provincial Counsellor(s) shall be allowed two (2) minutes to speak; candidates for the position of AMPA Representative shall be allowed one (1) minute to speak.
Bylaw 5.7.8
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the District 13 Durham Teachers’ Bargaining Unit Constitution, Bylaw 5.7.8 be amended by the deletion of “one year” and the insertion of “two years”.
Bylaw 8.4.1
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the District 13 Durham Teachers’ Bargaining Unit Constitution, Bylaw 8.4.1 be deleted.
Bylaw 8.6
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the District 13 Durham Teachers’ Bargaining Unit Constitution, Bylaw 8.6 be deleted.
To download a printable version of these motions, please click here.