The Dryden Regional Office will be hosting an Educational on July 8 and 9. The application deadline (more info on applying) is Friday, May 5.
Courses
The following courses are being offered:
Basic Grievance Handling for Union Building
This course is designed to examine the grievance process from a workplace organizing perspective. Grievances are opportunities to build the union. This hands-on course helps members analyze situations to decide whether a grievance is the best approach.
They will learn about different types of grievances and the remedies available through the grievance/arbitration process. They will develop technical skills in writing, processing grievances and practice communication to assess whether a member’s rights have been violated. Participants should bring their Collective Agreements to the course.
Stewards 1: Making a Difference in the Workplace
This updated version (March 2015) of Stewards 1 includes a more detailed description and history of OPSEU’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, 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.
New Course: Dismantling Anti-Black Racism (DABR)
The 1.5 day Dismantling Anti-Black Racism course will raise awareness, provide a better understanding, and include strategies to dismantle anti-Black racism (ABR). It explores the topics of what anti-Black racism is and provides Black history highlights for a deeper understanding of the history of slavery and its impacts today. The course addresses the need to confront white supremacy. Participants will understand how colonization and the socially constructed concept of race has affected Black people. Additionally, the course highlights past, present and future efforts to address anti-Black racism in the workplace and in OPSEU/SEFPO.
In this introductory course, participants will develop skills and strategies in order to identify and intervene in situations of anti-Black racism. They will use case studies, videos, and real life scenarios to navigate difficult conversations. Participants will also have access to current terminology and be provided with tools to have (ABR) discussions that are important to engage in, especially with family members, fellow union members, neighbours and co-workers. This course will equip participants with the knowledge and ability to take action against anti-Black racism in our Union.
This course is a core OPSEU/SEFPO educational component that is valuable for all Union activists to attend.
Newly Updated: Dealing with Workplace Conflict
Everyday, in our lives, we have to deal with situations of conflict. It may be with our family, our work colleagues, our friends, our peers or our supervisors. In this 1 ½ day course we will define and analyse conflict and look at the range of processes aimed at alleviating or eliminating sources of conflict.
There are many tools available to persons in conflict. How and when they are used depends on several factors that will be perused. We will also look at mediation and its role in conflict resolution.
Newly Updated: Political Action for Union Activists
What do you know about the political climate in your municipality, in Ontario, in Canada? How do you get insights into the current issues in your community? What is your confidence level when speaking to someone about a possibly controversial political issue? Can you use your power of communication to raise awareness of a subject that is making an impact on your life? Do you know the players in the political arena? How do you find the right persons to speak with? These are some of the topics that will be covered in this newly updated course. You will share insights, and get the tools needed to build your union and communities. You will also develop strategies for engaging your members, campaigning and lobbying politicians.
Applications
Completed application forms must include the signed recommendation or an approval email from a Local Executive Officer and be received by the Dryden Regional Office no later than Friday, May 5, 2023. Please note: applications will not be accepted after this date.
Forms
Human Rights Accommodation form
Selection Process – Education Policy Section 7 (Policy Manual)
The selection process will be in accordance with the Education Policy – Section 7 of the Policy Manual. All Local Presidents have an OPSEU/SEFPO Policy Manual. Please contact your Local President to review this policy. Applicants will be notified after May 9, 2023 of their acceptance for the educational.
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 before commencement of the regional school (no later than 4:30 P.M. on the Wednesday prior to the weekend school). When a member does not attend and the Regional office has not been notified 48 hours prior to the school’s commencement, the member will be assessed a $50.00 penalty. Extenuating circumstances will be taken into consideration.
Family/Attendant Care
Family/Attendant Care will be reimbursed as per OPSEU policy as outlined on the back of the expense claim. If you have any questions, please check the OPSEU/SEFPO Policy Manual.
Members seeking childcare onsite must make their request through the Dryden Regional Office by May 5, 2023.
Lost Wages/Time Off
Per past practice, lost wages will be paid for those members who are shift workers and are scheduled to work on Friday, July 7 and/or Saturday, July 8 and/or Sunday, July 9. Any claim for lost wages must be substantiated by proof from your employer.
Travel Time
Lost wage claims will also be accepted for those members who are not shift workers and who have to take time off to travel to the educational. Claims will only be honoured for the time that is required to travel.
Transportation
Arrangements have been made for a motor coach for the members travelling from Thunder Bay to Dryden. The coach will leave the Thunder Bay Regional Office at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, July 7 and will arrive in Dryden in time for dinner Friday evening. In compliance with the “Greening OPSEU” plan to reduce our carbon footprint that was passed at Convention in 2006 and in the interest of cost savings, all participants are requested to travel on the motor coach. Please indicate on the registration form if you will be utilizing the coach. Due to liability issues the consumption of alcohol on the bus will no longer be allowed. Please respect this expectation.
Alternate travel expense claims for those members travelling from Thunder Bay will only be paid with the advance approval Ed Arvelin, the Regional Vice-President.
Accommodation And Meals
Accommodation will be provided for those members who must travel 60 kilometres or more on a shared basis. Reservations may be made by contacting the Best Western at 1-807-223-3201. Please use tell them you are booking within the OPSEU/SEFPO block. Reservations can also be made by clicking on the link below:
https://www.bestwestern.com/en_US/book/hotel-rooms.66006.html?groupId=1Y9XD7D4
Members who bring children to the Educational will be entitled to single accommodation. The meal allowance for children under 13 years of age should be 50% of OPSEU/SEFPO’s standard meal allowance. If you require special assistance at the hotel, please notify the hotel at the time of making your reservations.
Lunch will be provided on Saturday. If you have any food allergies or special dietary requirements please ensure a Human Rights Accommodation Request Form is submitted.
Deadline
Applications must reach the Dryden Regional office, 102 Queen Street, Dryden, ON P8N 1A7, by Friday, May 5, 2023. Applications received after this date will not be accepted.
OPSEU Regional Office Telephone: 1-844-765-1423 Ext. 5701
102 Queen Street Fax: 807-697-0862
Dryden, ON P8N 1A7 Email: larobinson@opseu.org