The MRTA Office recommends the link below for all new teachers and TTOCs. BCTF - The Practice of Teaching : A Handbook for New Teachers and TTOCs.
Need help understanding the Collective Agreement?
Try our Contract Guide for Newbies!

Contract for Newbies | |
File Size: | 177 kb |
File Type: |
Frequently Asked Questions About TTOCing
1. When do I get paid "on scale"?
A) Per Collective Agreement Article B.2, on the 4th day of consecutive work, you would move to scale. This is retroactive back to day one.
2. Do I get benefits?
A) Per Collective Agreement Article B. 2, no but you pay into your pension, and have access to SIP, vacation pay, and $3/day in lieu of benefits payable. You are entitled to purchase extended health or dental coverage if desired.
3. Do I get sick days?
A) As per alterations to Employment Standards 2022, TTOCs who have worked the minimum requirement are entitled to five (5) days.
4. Do I get prep time?
A) No. If the teacher you are replacing has prep time and has left you work to complete, you are entitled to that prep time. You can be reassigned during that prep if no work is left by the teacher you are replacing.
5. Do I get seniority as a TTOC?
A) Per Collective Agreement Article C 2.3, all teaching time spent on scale accumulates towards seniority. However, the seniority is only applied after you achieve a continuing contract.
6. Where are my deductions going?
A) Pension, Canada Pension Plan, Employment Insurance, Salary Indemnity Plan, BCTF Dues, MRTA Dues, to name a few.
7) Am I entitled to EI? When?
A) Yes, contact your local Employment Insurance office for further details, and attend the annual year-end meeting sponsored by SD42, which is offered to prepare teachers for this process.
8) I've lost the details for a TTOC assignment. How can I get that information again?
A) You can log into the SD42 website to retrieve your details. You might also contact the SD42 TTOC desk.
9) Am I penalized for declining a half-day assignment?
A) No.
10) Can I get funding for Pro-D workshops?
A) Yes! TTOCs can access both the Joint Professional Development Fund (to potentially cover workshop registration fees, hotel, travel costs, meals, etc.) Email Kelly at the MRTA office (kelly@mrtaoffice.ca) for details.
A) Per Collective Agreement Article B.2, on the 4th day of consecutive work, you would move to scale. This is retroactive back to day one.
2. Do I get benefits?
A) Per Collective Agreement Article B. 2, no but you pay into your pension, and have access to SIP, vacation pay, and $3/day in lieu of benefits payable. You are entitled to purchase extended health or dental coverage if desired.
3. Do I get sick days?
A) As per alterations to Employment Standards 2022, TTOCs who have worked the minimum requirement are entitled to five (5) days.
4. Do I get prep time?
A) No. If the teacher you are replacing has prep time and has left you work to complete, you are entitled to that prep time. You can be reassigned during that prep if no work is left by the teacher you are replacing.
5. Do I get seniority as a TTOC?
A) Per Collective Agreement Article C 2.3, all teaching time spent on scale accumulates towards seniority. However, the seniority is only applied after you achieve a continuing contract.
6. Where are my deductions going?
A) Pension, Canada Pension Plan, Employment Insurance, Salary Indemnity Plan, BCTF Dues, MRTA Dues, to name a few.
7) Am I entitled to EI? When?
A) Yes, contact your local Employment Insurance office for further details, and attend the annual year-end meeting sponsored by SD42, which is offered to prepare teachers for this process.
8) I've lost the details for a TTOC assignment. How can I get that information again?
A) You can log into the SD42 website to retrieve your details. You might also contact the SD42 TTOC desk.
9) Am I penalized for declining a half-day assignment?
A) No.
10) Can I get funding for Pro-D workshops?
A) Yes! TTOCs can access both the Joint Professional Development Fund (to potentially cover workshop registration fees, hotel, travel costs, meals, etc.) Email Kelly at the MRTA office (kelly@mrtaoffice.ca) for details.
Questions About Temporary Contracts
1. How long do I have to work in a TTOC long term position before it becomes a temporary contract?
A) Twenty (20) days without break (unless due to accident, illness, statutory holidays, or non-instructional days).
2. How do I know when I have obtained a temporary contract?
A) You will receive a Confirmation of Assignment from the DEO. If you feel you should have received a confirmation, please contact HR.
3. When do I get benefits?
A) You will receive full benefits for full-time contract work for temporary assignments of five (5) months or more; it is prorated coverage to FTE worked in the contract.
4. Do I get sick days?
A) Yes. Full-time temporary contracts accrue fifteen (15) days per ten (10) months worked (i.e. 1.5 accrued per month). It is prorated if working part-time or FTE equivalent of time taught (prorated).
5. Am I entitled to EI? When?
A) Only upon expiry of a temporary contract and you have not secured another contract after a prolonged break (e.g. after winter or summer break).
6. If I obtain a position posted as a continuing contract, am I considered to have continuing status?
A) No. You are able to gain status after ten (10) months full-time equivalent work. If you work this minimum requirement while in the continuing status contract, the job becomes yours.
A) Twenty (20) days without break (unless due to accident, illness, statutory holidays, or non-instructional days).
2. How do I know when I have obtained a temporary contract?
A) You will receive a Confirmation of Assignment from the DEO. If you feel you should have received a confirmation, please contact HR.
3. When do I get benefits?
A) You will receive full benefits for full-time contract work for temporary assignments of five (5) months or more; it is prorated coverage to FTE worked in the contract.
4. Do I get sick days?
A) Yes. Full-time temporary contracts accrue fifteen (15) days per ten (10) months worked (i.e. 1.5 accrued per month). It is prorated if working part-time or FTE equivalent of time taught (prorated).
5. Am I entitled to EI? When?
A) Only upon expiry of a temporary contract and you have not secured another contract after a prolonged break (e.g. after winter or summer break).
6. If I obtain a position posted as a continuing contract, am I considered to have continuing status?
A) No. You are able to gain status after ten (10) months full-time equivalent work. If you work this minimum requirement while in the continuing status contract, the job becomes yours.
E-mailed Questions
If the FAQs don't answer your questions, please check out the Forms and Collective Agreement pages.