This is a call for the Region 3 Educational to be held on November 19 and 20, 2022 at the Pinestone Resort, 4252 County Road #21, Haliburton, Ontario K0M 1S0.
- Application for Educational (which includes links to Advance Request Form and Human Rights Accommodation Request)
- Description of Courses to be offered
- Statement of Respect/Scent/Nut-Free/Smoking
Please note: You will receive a confirmation letter if selected. At that time you will also receive for completion the time-off request form, child care request form, and hotel information form.
For your application to be considered, it must be sent to the email region3@opseu.org by Friday, September 23rd, 2022 by 4:30pm. Incomplete or late applications will not be considered.
Application
Application forms must be signed by the Local President, and received by the Region 3 email address region3@opseu.org no later than Friday, September 23rd, 2022 by 4:30pm. Application forms & accompanying documents must be fully completed and received on time to be considered.
Cancellations
A member cancelling participation must notify their Local President and the Region 3 email address as soon as possible. Members are responsible for cancelling hotel reservations and any associated cost for late cancellations.
Child care/Elder/Dependant Care
Members will be reimbursed for Child Care at $15.00 an hour for a maximum of 12 hours, and $40.00 overnight, to a maximum of $220.00 in a 24 hour period.
Childcare claims will be honoured for children up to and including age 16, for whom the member is guardian.
Care may be provided by friends/family, professional or commercial services, or any other arrangement satisfactory to the member making the claim. Claims may be verified and must be signed by the service provider. A spouse is excluded from the list of eligible care providers.
Members who have responsibility for elderly/dependant persons living with them as part of their family may claim for their care.
Members will be reimbursed for family/attendant care at $15.00 an hour, to a maximum of $220.00 in a 24 hour period.
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 spouse is excluded from the list of eligible care providers.
If childcare is requested through OPSEU/SEFPO at the Educational, all paperwork must be completed and submitted, and the child must be in attendance with the program. If the child is not in attendance you will be responsible for the full cost of the accommodation and the cost of meals at the Resort.
Expense claims
The Member Portal – https://members.opseu.org/ – is the quickest way to have your expenses processed. Please see the E-Claim tutorial.
If you choose to use a paper expense claim – only one event is allowed on each form. Multiple events on one form will be returned to the member for correction.
Accommodation
A block of rooms has been reserved at the Pinestone Resort, Haliburton under the group name “OPSEU” and is based on OPSEU/SEFPO policy of shared accommodations.
Reservations are to be made by phone only at 705-457-1800.
Members are responsible for booking their own accommodations once acceptance to the educational is confirmed, and no later than Friday, October 21st, 2022. Bookings after this date are subject to availability and regular hotel room rates will apply. The Hotel Information Form is also required to be completed and submitted to region3@opseu.org by the hotel booking deadline.
If members are unable to attend, they are responsible for cancelling their reservation.
Members will be reimbursed for the shared cost of the OPSEU/SEPFO negotiated rate of $67.50 (plus applicable tax).
Meals that are included in the room rates will not be allowable expenses even if you do not eat at the resort. The Pinestone will be providing Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner on Saturday & Breakfast on Sunday.
Additional Guests – please notify the hotel directly to let them know you are bringing additional guests and complete the Hotel Information Form (provided when/if accepted into a course), so we are able to make the appropriate meal arrangements. There is a charge of $90.00 plus 13% tax and 18% service charges for each adult guest, which includes breakfast, lunch & dinner on Saturday and breakfast on Sunday. For children who are not attending our childcare, meals are $51.00 plus tax and gratuities for the same meals listed above. This payment will be charged in advance of arrival. Upon check-in participants and paid guests will be provided with a bracelet, allowing them to eat with the group.
OPSEU/SEFPO members are responsible for notifying the hotel directly of any special accommodations required by guests of the member.
Check-in time: after 4 p.m. on Friday Checkout time: by noon on Sunday.
Time-Off/Lost Wages
Lost wages will be reimbursed for shift workers only in accordance with current OPSEU policy. Documentation must be submitted with your claim.
Own time is not paid for a weekend education.
Time off arrangements – Time-Off Request forms will be provided for completion with the confirmation letter if selected.
Course Descriptions for November 19 and 20, 2022
Saturday, November 19th 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. & Sunday, November 20th 9:00a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Women in Unions: Getting Involved
This course is for diverse women who are just getting involved in OPSEU, who want to know how things work and how they can make a difference in the union. Participants will bring their own experience of the workplace, community and union to develop an analysis of what is needed in their locals, and how they can contribute to building an inclusive union.
Through hands-on activities, women will practise making their voices heard, and will develop strategies for supporting the involvement of other diverse women in the union.
Taking Action on Workplace Stress
Is your work stressing you out? If so, you’re not alone. In Canada, one in four workers report feeling highly stressed at work. Factors such as excessive demands, lack of control, precarious work, inadequate resources and support, and workplace bullying and harassment can all took their toll on the well-being of workers.
Participants will be able to identify workplace factors that negatively affect workers’ health and wellbeing and gain familiarity with terminology associated with workplace stress. The course will help to develop strategies for influencing change in the workplace as well as examine ways to work with your union to address and resolve workplace stress issues.
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.
Challenging Bullying and Non-Code-Based Harassment in the Workplace
Is bullying and psychological harassment an issue in your workplace? This course will help you recognize the signs of bullying and a toxic workplace. We’ll look at case law and other tools helpful in understanding the impact of workplace bullying. And we’ll strengthen individual and collective capacity to respond to co-workers, and pressure employers to tackle this issue.
Statement of Respect
Harassment or discrimination of any kind will not be tolerated at OPSEU/SEFPO functions.
Whenever OPSEU/SEFPO members gather, we welcome all peoples of the world. We will not accept any unwelcoming words, actions or behaviours against our union members.
We accord respect to all persons, regardless of age, creed, political affiliation and racialization including and not limited to People of African descent, Black, Caribbean, South Asian, Asian, women, men, First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples, members of ethno-racial groups, people with disabilities, gays, lesbians, bisexual, transgender/transsexual people, and gender diverse persons, francophones and all persons whose first language is not English.
In our diversity we will build solidarity as union members.
If you believe that you are being harassed or discriminated against contact the Facilitator or Instructor for immediate assistance.