Applications are now open for Region 3 educational courses taking place on Nov. 4 and 5 at the Fern Resort in Ramara.
The application deadline is Friday September 8, 2023 by 4:30pm. You can apply by emailing this fillable PDF to [email protected]. Incomplete or late applications will not be considered.
Courses times:
Saturday, Nov. 4 – 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Sunday, Nov. 5 – 9 a.m. to 12 noon.
Workplace Surveillance: Know Your Rights
Develop an understanding of workers’ rights regarding surveillance so that you can be informed, strategic and proactive in a technologically changing workplace. Share experiences, map your workplace surveillance systems, discuss case studies and gain insights into how surveillance affects the future of work. You will return to your local with tools, tips, best practices, sample contract language and more.
Stewards 3
Dealing with Discipline is a skills and knowledge focused workshop that will assist union activists in their duties representing members that are facing discipline up to and including dismissal. The course bridges concepts from Stewards 1 and 2, Basic and Advanced Grievance Handling and Workplace Investigations. This is an advanced level steward course. It is suggested that participants take Stewards 1 and Stewards 2 prior to signing up for this program.
Attendance Management
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.
Building Community Through Political Action
What do you know about the political climate in your municipality, in Ontario, in Canada? How do you identify the current issues in your community? Do you have confidence to speak to someone about an issue that you consider very political? 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 explored. You will get the opportunity to practice mingling with others while chatting about topics of interest. You will
find out how and when to lobby or protest and demonstrate how to lobby a group on a topic of interest to you. This course will also build your confidence and take you through some strategies you can use to influence others and elicit change for all.
Statement of Respect Harassment or
Application
Application forms must be signed and ranked by the Local President or Designate, and received by the Region 3 email address [email protected] no later than Friday, September 8, 2023 by 4:30pm. Application forms and 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.
No Call/No Show
Members who do not cancel their participation with the Regional Office within forty-eight (48) hours of the event start date, will be assessed a fifty-dollar ($50) penalty and will not be eligible to attend the next educational. Extenuating circumstances will be considered.
Child care/Elder/Dependant Care
- Members will be reimbursed for family care (child care/ elder care/dependent care) at a rate of $15.00 an hour to a maximum of $220.00 in a 24 hour period.
- Child care claims will be honoured for children up to and including age 16, for whom the member is a 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 their accommodation and the cost of meals at the Resort. Childcare will not be provided for members who bring their children and spouse to the event.
Expense Claims
The Member Portal (opseu.org//members-login) is the quickest way to have your expenses processed. Please see the E-Claim tutorial in your Members Profile under the Documents menu.
If you choose to use a paper expense claim – only one event is allowed on each form and can be submitted to [email protected]. Multiple events on one form will be returned to the member for correction.
Accommodations
A block of rooms has been reserved at Fern Resort, under the group name “OPSEU2023NOV” and is based on OPSEU/SEFPO hotel accommodation policy..
- Once acceptance to the educational is confirmed, Members are responsible for booking their own accommodations directly with Fern Resort and no later than Wednesday October 4th, 2023. A Reservation Form will be provided to accepted applicants. 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 [email protected] by the hotel booking deadline.
- If members are unable to attend, they are responsible for cancelling their reservation.
- Friday Night:
- Single Occupancy: $225 + 18% Event Services Fee and 13% HST= $300.02 Includes Breakfast on Saturday
- Saturday Night:
- Single Occupancy: $299 + 18% Event Services Fee and 13% HST= $398.69 Includes Lunch and Dinner on Saturday, and Breakfast on Sunday
- Friday Night:
- Hotel Accommodations are not approved for members living within 60 Kilometers of the hotel location.
- Day Meeting Rate: $75 + 18% Event Services Fee and 13% HST (Includes Lunch on Saturday)
Meals that are included in the room rates will not be allowable expenses even if you do not eat at the resort. Fern Resort 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 can make the appropriate meal arrangements. Please note that accommodations and meals for additional guests will not be reimbursed.
- Friday Night: $145 + 18% Event Services Fee and 13% HST= $193.34 -Includes Breakfast on Saturday
- Saturday Night: $219 + 18% Event Services Fee and 13% HST= $292.01- Includes Lunch and Dinner on Saturday, and Breakfast on Sunday
For members who wish to bring their children to the event, please see below additional rates. Children must be registered and attend the on-site childcare to have their accommodations and meals reimbursed.
- Friday Night
- Kids stay free (17 and under)
- Saturday Night
- Children 1-3 years: $65 + 18% Event Services Fee and 13% HST= $86.67 – Includes Lunch and Dinner on Saturday, and Breakfast on Sunday
- Children 4-12 years: $130 + 18% Event Services Fee and 13% HST= $173.34 – Includes Lunch and Dinner on Saturday, and Breakfast on Sunday
- Children 13-17 years: $194 + 18% Event Services Fee and 13% HST= $258.68 – Includes Lunch and Dinner on Saturday, and Breakfast on Sunday
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 or dietary restrictions required by guests or children 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/SEFPO 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.
Meals
Meals that are included in the room rates will not be allowable expenses even if you do not eat at the resort. Fern Resort will be providing breakfast/lunch/dinner on Saturday & breakfast on Sunday.
Friday Night: No meals provided. If you would like to dine at Fern Resort on Friday, you must add this to your reservation when booking with Fern Resort. Dinner can be claimed as per OPSEU/SEFPO policy.
Saturday: Breakfast, lunch and dinner will be provided for Members staying overnight at Fern Resort. Lunch will be provided to all members who are attending the event but not staying overnight.
Sunday: Breakfast and lunch will be provided for Members staying overnight at Fern Resort.
Fern Resort Pet Policy
FERN RESORT HAS A STRICT NO PETS POLICY. Registered service animals are permitted. All service animals must be registered with Fern Resort before arrival. Please ensure that you have an approved HR Accommodation on file to support the need of a service animal. All service animals must remain with their owner at all times and must be on a leash at all times outside of their owners room.