What is the Teacher Welfare Committee?

Elected members of the TWC are individuals who represent various levels of teacher opinion and concern to the bargaining unit. TWC members assume leadership roles within the bargaining unit which require continuing commitment. Following the Association’s bargaining procedures, salary policy, and traditions, the TWC is responsible for communicating and ensuring a degree of consistency in our local economic policy. During the bargaining process, the TWC works closely with the local executive, the negotiating subcommittee (NSC), and the Representative of the Bargaining Agent (RBA.)

Who is the TWC and the NSC?

Pembina Hills Local 22 teachers elect nine voting members to the TWC, with four members at large and at least one teacher from each of ADLC, VV, Westlock County, Barrhead County and Swan Hills-Fort Assiniboine. District representatives, staff officers, and/or economic consultants may also be assigned to the TWC by the Alberta Teachers’ Association as non-voting members. The Local president is also an ex-officio member. Elected members of the EPC select three voting members for its NSC, plus one non-voting alternate. Also selected, are three members to participate on the Grievance Committee.

What does the TWC do?

The Economic Policy Committee’s main functions are to:

• identify and interpret the economic and working conditions needs of teachers
•  effect changes to the collective agreement as negotiated and ratified by the teachers
• select the Negotiating Subcommittee (NSC) and establish operational guidelines
•  inform teachers of the bargaining unit on matters pertaining to the progress of negotiations and the specific details of the collective agreement
• consult with Teacher Welfare staff officers, the district representative, consultants (as assigned), and members of the bargaining unit before, during and after negotiation
•  identify areas of concern for teachers and to provide the necessary assistance and direction in enforcing the provisions of the collective agreement
• exercise leadership in all matters pertaining to collective bargaining
• refer disputes to a Representative of the Bargaining Agent (RBA) following appropriate consultation with the
  membership.

Leadership Functions of the TWC

The TWC presents its recommendations regarding potential amendments to the collective agreement, complete with their rationale, to the bargaining unit (teachers in PHSD.) The TWC addresses questions and concerns from the membership in respect to alternate proposals regarding the collective agreement. A strong TWC is able to maintain the confidence of the  membership despite the necessity for adjustments to or rejection of some of the expressed desires of the membership. Each amendment sought by the TWC must meet be morally sound, legally defensible, and reasonably practicable.

TWC assists the NSC in many ways including:

• data gathering
• protecting the confidentiality of negotiations
• acting as a “sounding board” for the NSC during negotiations
• disseminating information to the members of the bargaining unit
• maintaining a record of all data upon which teacher submissions are predicated

TWC Training Opportunities

Provincial	Local
The Central Bargaining Conference (CBC) is held each fall and spring to update TWC members on the current status of bargaining in the province. The two-day conference also provides guidelines for upcoming negotiations,  data relevant to salaries and benefits, and specific training workshops. Summer Conference is a major training event held each August in Banff for 5 days.	General TWC meetings are called as needed to educate and inform TWC members and discuss local matters. Specific training and strategic planning meetings are also held as needed, often before a provincially planned meeting.