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New Member Information

The Ontario Secondary School Teacher’s Federation (OSSTF) welcomes its new members whether they be teachers or educational workers and strives to provide them with the information needed to work safely and professionally. We also want to educate our new members as to their rights and responsibilities, both as members of OSSTF/FEESO and as employees.

OSSTF/FEESO, like every union, exists to protect and serve its membership — do not be afraid to ask questions or request assistance.

The five “Frequently Asked Questions” (FAQ) categories below will provide information about a wide variety of questions that new members often have about being part of a union in general or about OSSTF/FEESO in particular.

If you don’t find what you are looking for in any of the sections below, please fill in and submit the “Send us a message" form on the Contact Us page and someone will get back to you with an answer as quickly as possible.

If you are a new member to OSSTF/FEESO, please read the message attached below (PDF), from our President welcoming you to the Federation.

New Member Information

Who do I contact?
It is sometimes hard to figure out who can help you get the answers you need to questions and concerns related to your employment. This section will give you information about who to call for a variety of common circumstances.

How does OSSTF FEESO work?
Having an idea of how OSSTF/FEESO is structured can give you insight into the democratic process within our union and why it is important to be aware of the union’s rights and responsibilities as well as our members’ rights and responsibilities under the law.

What do I get for my union dues?
OSSTF/FEESO provides many services to its members ranging from protective services such as contract negotiation and grievance administration to professional services such professional development, political action and even financial services. This section explores those services.

How can I get involved with OSSTF FEESO?
A union is only as good as the people who step up to participate in the democratic process of decision-making within the union. This section explores the wide variety of ways that members can get involved to make their union the best it can be for its members.

Can my employer do this to me?
New members who have never been a part of a union may not realize that a collective agreement governs a wide variety of contractual obligations on both the part of the employer and the part of the employee. Where an employer violates the contract, a grievance can be initiated by the union. Where an employee violates the contract or employer policies, the employer may initiate progressive discipline. This section explores those issues and what to do if you are not sure whether what is happening to you is allowed or legal.

Related Links

  • Union 101

    This is a very helpful resource to use with new members. This video is an introduction to unionism in Canada and the benefits of being a unionized worker. The video explores the membership, services and structure of OSSTF/FEESO at both the local and provincial levels.

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