A Region 5 Weekend Educational In-Person has been scheduled for Dec 7 and 8
Location:
- Chelsea Hotel, 33 Gerrard St W, Toronto, ON M5G 1Z4
Dates:
- Saturday, 07 December 2024 – 9:00AM to 5:00PM
- Sunday, 08 December 2024 – 9:00AM to 1:00PM
Application
Childcare:
- Childcare will be available Saturday from 8:30AM to 5:00PM and Sunday from 9:00AM to the end of classes.
- Parent/Guardians MUST be on site at all times when utilizing childcare provided by OPSEU/SEFPO
Courses
We are pleased to offer the following nine courses:
Stewards 1: Making a Difference in the Workplace
This updated version of Stewards 1 includes a more detailed description and history of OPSEU/SEFPO’s equity- seeking groups. The course continues to support stewards through a range of tools and practical activities. The key aims are to strengthen steward skills to orient a new employee to the union, have effective one-on-one conversations with a cross-section of members, develop a communications strategy to enlist diverse member involvement, and develop approaches to everyday workplace problems.
Throughout the course, participants are supported as they develop a profile of their members, clarify the tasks of the steward, find the resources and information in OPSEU/SEFPO, and understand the grievance process and their role in it. Stewards 1 is a prerequisite to Stewards 2 and must be completed before taking Stewards 2. Participants should bring their Collective Agreements to the course.
Stewards 2: Facing the Employer, Building Member Involvement –
This revised follow-up to Stewards 1 focuses on investigating and writing a grievance, facing management, and involving members in worksite action. Participants will use their own collective agreements to identify grievances. They will become immersed in an evolving case study in order to interview a grievor, write up a grievance, face the employer at a step 1 and make a presentation on safety issues to the union side of the Joint Health and Safety Committee. They will examine the elements of effective mobilization and develop a campaign strategy for a local. Participants should bring their collective agreements to the course.
Stewards 3: Dealing with Discipline
This is an advanced level steward course. It is suggested that participants take Stewards 1 and Stewards 2 prior to signing up for this program. Dealing with Discipline is a skills and knowledge focused workshop that will assist union activists in their duties representing members that are facing discipline up to and including dismissal.
The course bridges concepts from Stewards 1 and 2, Basic and Advanced Grievance Handling and Workplace Investigations. Participants should bring their Collective Agreements to the course.
Health & Safety: Level 1
This course is designed for members and Stewards who want to become more involved in health and safety activities in their workplace. There is a strong focus on health and safety legislation to enable participants to use the legislation effectively in their own workplaces.
Participants work in groups to explore the legislation and to gain a better understanding of their rights and employers’ obligations under the Occupational Health and Safety Act and its regulations. Participants are introduced to the concepts of hazard identification, assessment and control and develop a greater understanding of the components of an effective health and safety system.
Health & Safety: Level 2
This course is designed for Health and Safety committee members and union activists with a strong interest in Health and Safety. Participants learn how to be more effective members of their JHSC’s as they work in small groups learning how to better identify, categorize, and control hazards.
Using case studies and examples from their own workplaces, participants learn how to improve workplace inspections, and how to begin accident and illness investigations.
The course offers the opportunity to prioritize and strategize around health and safety problems and to address problems specific to participants’ own workplaces. The course builds on the material in OPSEU/SEFPO’s Level 1 course and assumes that participants have a basic knowledge of the Occupational Health and Safety Act.
The Indigenous Journey: Walking Together: Part 1
Would you like to learn more about Indigenous peoples? Do you know that the First Nation, Inuit and Métis peoples have differences in their traditions, beliefs, communities and cultural identities as well as some commonalities?
Through activities, inspired by the teachings and traditions of Indigenous peoples, we will take you through an overview of the lives of the First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples as well as allow you an opportunity to share in some of their stories.
You will take a journey of examining both historical and current relationships between Indigenous people and governments within Canada and the world today. If you would like to share in the rich history of Indigenous peoples and spend time understanding why being an ally is important, this course will offer that opportunity.
Challenging Discrimination in Everyday Union Work –
This course looks at everyday situations in our workplaces and union where inequality and racism are at work, and where people can take effective action. It uses case scenarios and analysis to examine different forms of discrimination – race, gender, age and disability – and its divisive effects. It draws from videos and role play to get people to practice responding practically to situations.
The course helps us to see equity and human rights as basic union work for all. And it strengthens our skills as effective allies and advocates to build more inclusive workplaces and locals.
Poverty, Equity and Racism
In this course, participants will develop an understanding of the impact of poverty, economics and racism on women and, by the course’s end, will make the commitment to challenge the poverty and inequality found in their communities and workplaces. Participants will be asked to define poverty and identify the causes of it and understand its impact, especially on women. They will learn to analyze statistics on poverty and be able to engage in conversations around discrimination, bias and assumptions based on race. And finally, participants will explore and challenge the myths related to diversity, cultural differences and their own unseen bias, while thinking of ways to tackle these issues in their everyday lives.
Women in Activism – Staying Connected
Are you a woman who wants to get involved in your Union but you are uncertain as to where and how to begin? Have you wondered how activists got into the position they are in and why they got involved? Do you have the energy and interest but lack the confidence in getting yourself elected to a position? The this is a course for you.
This new course will take you through the journey of successful women in unions and the political arena, how they got there and what they have achieved. You will understand your role as an activist gain confidence in taking the first steps and feel motivated in encouraging others to do the same. You will review your own time management strategies and work out a schedule for yourself.
Through scenarios, role-play, interactive videos and checklists, you will understand the issues women have faced over the years; some of which still continue today. You will learn how to build on these wins to make further inroads for women.
Suggested Pre-requisite – one elected activist and one partner who is not elected (take a closer look at who you may want to bring). This can be an encouragement to mentor others.
Important information:
The Participant and Course Selection Process will be carried out in accordance with OPSEU/SEFPO Education Policy.
Confirmation will only be sent to applicants who are accepted. Lost Wages will not be provided for this Educational.
Single room accommodation is approved for this Educational.
OPSEU/SEFPO’s 60km rule will be waived on Saturday – this means that if you live further than 60km from the hotel you are entitled to single accommodations on Friday and Saturday; if you live within 60km of the hotel you are entitled to single accommodations on Saturday night only.
You are responsible for booking your own accommodations directly with the hotel, if required. An online direct booking link for rooms in the Event Group Block will be issued to successful applicants at the following rates: Single $169.00 (taxes not included). Individuals may also call the hotel directly, toll free 1-800-CHELSEA (243-5732) or 416-595-1975. These individuals must also identify themselves as part of OPSEU December Educationals to take advantage of the discounted group rate.
Valet parking will NOT be covered
As a reminder, in accordance with OPSEU/SEFPO policy, full attendance is mandatory for participants at the educational. If you are unable to attend with full attendance without an acceptable reason, you will not receive credit for the course and your expenses (if any) may not be paid.
Persons attending OPSEU/SEFPO meetings are requested to refrain from using perfume, cologne and other fragrances for the comfort of other participants.
Participants are also to refrain from bringing nut products, bottled water and Coca Cola products to OPSEU/SEFPO Events.
All applications must be approved/signed by a Local Executive Committee member from the applicants Local, per OPSEU/SEFPO Policy 6.2.2.
Applications without the required signatures will not be processed.
Information sheet
Application forms must be signed by one (1) Local Executive Officer (OPSEU/ SEFPO Policy 6.2.2) and received by r5educationals@opseu.org
Late applications may not be acknowledged
Hotel
- A block of rooms has been reserved at the Chelsea Hotel, 33 Gerrard St W, Toronto, ON M5G1Z4
- Members are responsible for making their own Accommodation and Payment arrangements. Accommodations must be booked no later than 15 November
- All unreserved rooms will be released for re-sale after this date. OPSEU/SEFPO Policy states that members are responsible for their own rooms AND paying for same, you are also responsible for any cancellation. Failing cancellation, you are responsible for the room charges.
- An online direct booking link, and telephone instructions for reserving a hotel room will be issued to successful Educational applicants p r i o r t o t h e h o t e l b o o k i n g deadline of 15 November 2024.
- For this event, members living outside 60 kms of the hotel will be entitled to room accommodation for both Friday and Saturday nights of the weekend educational as per OPSEU/SEFPO policy. Members living within 60 kms of the hotel will be entitled to room accommodation for Saturday night only, as required. Members will be reimbursed for the cost of a single room.
Cancellations
- Notification by a member to cancel course attendance should be received by both the local president and the Regional Office no later than 48 hours prior to the Weekend Educational (no later than 9:00 A.M. on the Thursday prior to the Educational).
- A member cancelling participation must notify r5educationals@opseu.org and their local president on or before 9:00AM on 0 5 D e c e m b e r 2024
- All hotel reservations must be cancelled by 4:00pm EST 48 hours (2 days) prior to the day of arrival. Late cancellations will result in a charge of a 1-night stay plus taxes. A valid credit card is required at time of booking.
- Members who arrange their own childcare will be reimbursed at $15.00 an hour to a maximum of $220.00 per 24-hour period, per OPSEU/SEFPO Policy 4.2.2.
- Childcare claims will be honoured for children up to and including age 16, for whom the member is the parent/guardian.
- Friends, family, or professional or Commercial Services or any other arrangement satisfactory may provide care to the member making the claim. Claims may be verified and must be signed by the service provider.
- Members seeking childcare through OPSEU/SEFPO for this educational must include the completed Childcare Registration paperwork with their Application.
- If childcare is requested, the child/dependant must be in attendance with the program.
- Family/Attendant care will be reimbursed at the rate of $15.00 per hour to a maximum of $220.00 per 24-hour period and must be signed by the care provider(s). Please specify hours claimed for each day. This policy covers the expenses for persons over the age of 16, permanently residing with, and under the care of a member, who are differently abled and/or aged.
- A member will be reimbursed for the actual cost incurred for travel by public transportation. As per the policy of the Union, the most economical means of transportation should be used.
- Where a member is required to use their private vehicle, they may claim for such travel at the current The total distance travelled, and destination points are to be indicated on the expense form.
- Members must arrange their own travel and are encouraged to
- Transportation/ Kilometric Rate will be as follows:
- One (1) OPSEU/SEFPO member travelling alone $0.55/km.
- Two (2) OPSEU/SEFPO members, $0.60/km.
- Three (3) OPSEU/SEFPO members $0.65/km.
- Any transportation/kilometric expense claim form involving OPSEU/SEFPO members as passengers must have the members name and address on the expense form.
- All expenses must be submitted on proper Expense Claim Forms or via the Member Portal
- Lost Wages will not be provided for this Educational as per OPSEU/SEFPO Policy; this means that time-off letters are not being issued for this Educational.
- Breakfast: Members who stay at the hotel or had to be present for an OPSEU/SEFPO event before 0800 hours (8:00 m.) are eligible to claim twenty- two dollars ($22.00).
- Lunch: Members attending this educational may claim thirty dollars ($30.00) lunch on both Saturday and Sunday.
- Dinner: Members who stay at the hotel or had to be present for an OPSEU/SEFPO event past 1700 hours (5:00 p.m.) are eligible to claim thirty-nine dollars ($39.00).
Advance
