Region 5 is pleased to offer the following six courses:
Dismantling Anti-Black Racism
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 have 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.
Duty to Accommodate: A Tool for Inclusive Workplaces
Provincial legislation and existing case law require employers and unions to provide accommodation short of undue hardship. This interactive course examines the roles and responsibilities of the employer, the union, and the member in accommodating members with disabilities and all other protected groups under the Ontario Human Rights Code. It builds activists’ skills to support members requiring an accommodation, and to deal with employer resistance to accommodation in the workplace
Local Treasurer’s Course
The local treasurer is an important position in any local. The treasurer not only has to keep the financial records in order, but also has to ensure that money is spent in a responsible manner.
Sometimes, ensuring local fiscal responsibility can lead to conflicts with other local executive members as well as the membership at large. At that point, the local treasurer may have to exercise their skills in diplomacy and reasoning, backed by the policies and bylaws of the union.
Likewise, the position of trustee carries great responsibility. Just as the name implies, trustees must be trusted to ensure that spending and accounting practices are legitimate.
The goal of this course is to give the necessary tools and education to local treasurers and trustees in order that they can fulfill their roles in the local. The course will also draw on members’ experiences to solve problems occurring with the administration of local funds.
Stewards 2
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 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.
Basic Grievance Handling
This course is designed to examine the grievance process from a workplace organizing perspective. Grievances are not just individual challenges; they are opportunities to build the union. This hands-on course helps members analyze workplace problems to decide whether a grievance is the best approach.
Participants will learn about different types of grievances and the remedies available through the grievance/arbitration process. They will develop technical skills in writing and processing grievances and they’ll practice interviewing a grievor to assess whether a member’s rights have been violated.
Indigenous Journey 1 – Walking Together
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 people, we will take you through an overview of the lives of the First Nation, 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 new course will offer that opportunity.
Registration is now closed.