Downloadable application package
Course Options and Descriptions:
Mandatory Equity Plenary Session
February 3, 2024 from 0800 to 0900
Breakfast Served
Holiday Inn Sudbury
All participants will be required to attend this information session on Saturday morning prior to attending the course they are registered in at 0930.
Dismantling Anti-Black Racism (DABR)
February 3 from 0930 to 1600 & February 4 from 0900 to 1300
Holiday Inn Sudbury
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.
Taking Action on Workplace Stress
February 3 from 0930 to 1600 & February 4 from 0900 to 1300
Holiday Inn Sudbury
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.
Advanced Grievance Handling for Union Building
February 3 from 0930 to 1600 & February 4 from 0900 to 1300
Holiday Inn Sudbury
Does your local have a grievance committee? Can your experience in handling a grievance help to build the local? Can you use your knowledge of common grievance issues to raise awareness at demand setting meetings? Have you ever thought of what it is like to be on the Employer side of the table? These are some of the topics that will be explored in the NEW Advanced Grievance Handling for Union Building course.
You will also get the opportunity to practice being on the Union’s team and the Employer’s Team as you work through some scenarios. Building on the Basic Grievance Handling for Union Building course, this course focuses on expanding both the steward’s and Local’s ability to process grievances from start to finish.
Through active interviewing process, participants will explore how to identify grievances, practice negotiating settlements and draft realistic, enforceable grievance settlements.
Participants should bring their Collective Agreements to the course.
Stewards 2: Facing the Employer, Building Member Involvement
February 3 from 0930 to 1600 & February 4 from 0900 to 1300
Holiday Inn Sudbury – Meeting Room or Virtual via Zoom
Note: This course only will be offered in person and virtually please select one of the options on the application.
Prerequisite: Stewards 1
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.
Applications
To apply, please download this application form package.
Completed application forms must include the signed recommendation of a Local Executive Officer (an approval via email from an LEC will be accepted if a signature is not possible) and be received by the Sudbury Regional Office no later than December 19, 2023 at 12:00 pm to jsviezikas@opseu.org
Location
- Holiday Inn Sudbury
- 1696 Regent Street, Sudbury ON, P3E 3Z8
Accommodations
- Holiday Inn Sudbury
- 1696 Regent Street, Sudbury ON, P3E 3Z8
- (705) 522-3000 EXT 659
A block of rooms will be held aside for this event, please make reservations under the group name: OPSEU at a rate of $149.00 +tax on or before January 9, 2024. OPSEU/SEFPO pays accommodation for members travelling 60 km or more. Members will be reimbursed for the cost of single occupancy. Members are responsible for payment of room upon checkout.
Meals
Breakfast is only to be provided on the morning of February 3, 2024 during the Mandatory Equity Plenary Session.
Members will not be provided any meals outside of which was mentioned above.
Outside food in not allowed in the Holiday Inn meeting rooms.
Meals claimed as per OPSEU Policy.
Lost wages/time off
Per past practice, lost wages will be paid for those members who are scheduled to work on
these days or the nightshift before. Any claim for lost wages must be substantiated by proof
from your employer.
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 via email after January 5, 2024 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. 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/SEFPO policy as outlined on the back of the expense claim. Such allowance is not intended to reimburse the claimant for dependant/family expenses they would have normally incurred as a result of employment except where the absence exceeds the normal work day or week. Family/dependent care will be reimbursed as per OPSEU/SEFPO Policy Manual.