Region 1 Weekend Educational, March 15 and 16, 2025

Region 1 Weekend Educational
March 15 and 16, 2025
Deadline: Please complete this form and email it to lbaker@opseu.org by Friday, Feb. 7, 2025

The Weekend Educational will be In-Person at the St Clair College Centre for the Arts and will run from Saturday, March 15th from 9:00am-4:30pm & Sunday, March 16th from 9:00am-1:00pm with an optional Evening Event on Saturday, March 15th 7:00pm-9:00pm.

Educational Details & Expense Guidelines

Hotel Rooms – Double Tree by Hilton, 333 Riverside Drive West, Windsor, Ontario – ensure to advise you are attending the OPSEU/SEFPO Weekend Educational. *please see page 3 for room rate & hotel information
OPSEU/SEFPO Policy states that members are responsible for reserving their own rooms AND paying for same, you are also responsible for any cancellation. Failing cancellation, you are responsible for the room charges.
Meal Rates – Breakfast $22.00, Lunch, $30.00 & Dinner, $39.00 (meals provided at the Event cannot be claimed)
*Breakfast & Lunch are provided on Saturday & Sunday and are not claimable expenses
Current Kms Rates– $0.60/km (1 – Member travelling alone), $0.65/km (2 – Members), $0.70/km (3 – Members), $0.75/0 km (4 – Members), $0.80/km (5 – Members)
Wages are covered for this educational
If you require a time-off letter, please fill out the Time-Off request information on page
LBED members must submit a RUL for time-
Advance Request –please fill out the attached form and email to Advances@opseu.org.
Di rect Deposi t – if you do not already have Direct Deposit, please fill out the attached form and email to the Claims Unit at Claims@opseu.org.
Elder/Dependent Care – Members who have responsibility for elderly/dependent persons wherever the service is provided, at home, in town or out of town will be reimbursed at $15.00 per hour for a maximum of 12 hours, and $40.00 overnight, to a maximum of $220.00 a day. Friends, family, professional, 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. 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.
Childcare – is being offered at the Double Tree by Hilton Hotel – *see page 3 for Childcare Members will be reimbursed for off-site childcare at $15.00 an hour or a maximum of 12 hours and $40.00 overnight, to a maximum of $220.00 per 24 hour period. Childcare claims will be honoured for children up to and including age 17, for whom the member is guardian.
Human Rights Accommodation – please fill out the Human Rights Accommodation request form and email to the Equity Unit at Equity@opseu.org and copy Lisa Baker, Windsor Regional Secretary at lbaker@opseu.org.

Course descriptions

Local Treasurer’s Course

This course is aimed at Local Treasurers and Trustees who are either NEW to the role or experienced members who are seeking a “refresher course”. The goal is to give the necessary tools and education to Local Treasurers and Trustees in order for them to fulfill their roles in the Local. It will also draw on members’ experiences to solve problems occurring with the administration of Local funds.

Social Media for Union Activists

The increasing use of social media has become a reality in our union work. With this reality, come both pitfalls and opportunities. “Social Media for Union Activists” will explore what social media is and how to spot both the opportunities and difficulties when using social media.

Recognizing that social media is an important part of many of our members lives, participants will examine what risks are inherent when using social media and what case law has been telling us. Participants will explore what makes a successful social media campaign and develop some practical applications for social media use within Locals. Upon completing the course participants will be able to confidently use social media in their union work.

Health and Safety: Level One

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.

Follow the Money: A First Course in Public Economics

Are you worried about your economic future and that of your children? Are you frustrated by the growing gap between the soaring wages of CEO’s and the stagnant take-home pay of your family? As a union member and a public employee, are you surprised that you have somehow become “the problem”?

Follow the Money: A First Course in Public Economics takes you on a guided tour of today’s economy. We’ll examine who runs it and who doesn’t. We’ll discuss what this all means for people, public services and the planet. We’ll look at how economics is tied up with politics and the role played by corporate power and public relations. Lastly, we’ll draw some inspiration from folks who are fighting for a fair economy and identify what we can do to be part of those struggles in our locals and communities. The course has 6 modules which can be taught separately in meetings or local events.

Public Speaking — Finding your voice, connecting with your audience

Have you ever felt intimidated when you are a speaker in front of a large group? Have you ever wondered what you need to consider when planning and preparing a short presentation for the public?

Whether you would like to strengthen your presentation skills, look more confident and credible, define your core message, organize your thoughts, or find new and effective ways to collaborate with your team, this course will give you practical skills you need to communicate successfully. You will have an opportunity to practice and hone your presentation skills in a small group setting while concentrating on your message and target audience.

Union Strategies for Attendance Management Programs

Are the employees in your workplace under assault from the employer’s attendance management program? Do you find yourself responding to issues such as medical notes being denied, requests for independent medical exams, last chance agreements being offered, and members being threatened with non-disciplinary dismissal?

This course examines why Attendance Management Programs exist, how these programs are supposed to be run, employer motivations, and strategies to challenge the employer. By examining their own workplace situations, participants will be able to identify inconsistencies between workplace policies and program implementation, as well as become skilled at recognizing unfair attendance management practices. Through a series of interactive exercises participants will develop strategies to defend members and build the locals capacity to challenge unfair and poorly implemented Attendance Management Programs. *Participants should bring their Collective Agreements.