Apply now for Region 5 Weekend Educational, March 15-16

Online application form | In-person application form

How to challenge discrimination in the workplace. The best way to file a grievance. Making your work safer.

As an OPSEU/SEFPO member, these are just a few of the free educational workshops you can take during the union’s Region 5 Weekend Educational taking place on Saturday, March 15 and Sunday, March 16, 2025.

The deadline to complete the application form is 4 pm on Friday, Jan 31 by 4pm.

If you choose to attend online, two courses are being offered. If you attend in-person, nine courses are being offered.

Online-only courses

1. Stewards 1: Making a Difference in the Workplace (In French)
2. Duty to Accommodate: A Tool for Inclusive Workplaces (In French)

In-person-only courses

1. Stewards 1: Making a Difference in the Workplace
2. Stewards 2: Facing the Employer, Building Member Involvement
3. Stewards 3: Dealing with Discipline
4. Health & Safety: Level 2
5. Health & Safety: Level 3
6. Basic Grievance Handling for Union Building
7. The Indigenous Journey: Walking Together: Part 2
8. Challenging Discrimination in Everyday Union Work
9. Dismantling Systemic Racism

If you’d like to take any of these courses, your union provides a variety of supports that can help, including family and child care and human rights accommodations. If you take part in the in-person event, you are also eligible for cash advances, and potentially the full reimbursement if you need to travel and stay in a hotel.

Event details

Location:

• For online participants, courses will be offered via Zoom.
• For in-person participants, courses take place at the Chelsea Hotel, 33 Gerrard St W, Toronto, ON M5G 1Z4

Dates:

• Saturday, March 15 – 9 am to 5 pm
• Sunday, March 16 – 9 am to 1 pm

Application deadline:

• Friday, Jan 31 at 4 pm – Online application form | In-person application form

On-site child care:

• OPSEU/SEFPO on-site child care will be available Saturday from 8:30 am to 5 pm and Sunday from 9 am to the end of classes. Parent/Guardians must be on site at all times when using childcare provided by OPSEU/SEFPO.

Off-site child care:

• Family Care/Attendant expenses will be reimbursed per OPSEU/SEFPO Policy.

Online-only course descriptions

The following courses are being offered online only:

Stewards 1: Making a Difference in the Workplace (In French)

Prerequisites: None

This updated version of Stewards 1 includes a more detailed description and history of OPSEU/SEFPO’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/SEFPO, 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 to the course.

Duty to Accommodate: A Tool for Inclusive Workplaces (In French)

Prerequisites: None

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.

In-person-only course descriptions

We are pleased to offer the following in-person courses:

Stewards 1: Making a Difference in the Workplace

Prerequisites: None

This updated version of Stewards 1 includes a more detailed description and history of OPSEU/SEFPO’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/SEFPO, 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 to the course.

Stewards 2: Facing the Employer, Building Member Involvement

Prerequisites: 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 to the course.

Stewards 3: Dealing with Discipline

Prerequisites: Stewards 1 & Stewards 2

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. 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. Participants should bring their Collective Agreements to the course.

Health & Safety: Level 2

Prerequisites: Health & Safety Level 1

This course is designed for members and Stewards who want to become more involved in health and safety activities in their workplace. There is a strong focus on health and safety legislation to enable participants to use the legislation effectively in their own workplaces.

Participants work in groups to explore the legislation and to gain a better understanding of their rights and employers’ obligations under the Occupational Health and Safety Act and its regulations. Participants are introduced to the concepts of hazard identification, assessment and control and develop a greater understanding of the components of an effective health and safety system.

Health & Safety: Level 3

Prerequisites: Health & Safety Level 1 & 2

This course is designed for Health and Safety committee members and union activists with a strong interest in Health and Safety. Participants learn how to be more effective members of their JHSC’s as they work in small groups learning how to better identify, categorize, and control hazards.

Using case studies and examples from their own workplaces, participants learn how to improve workplace inspections, and how to begin accident and illness investigations.

The course offers the opportunity to prioritize and strategize around health and safety problems and to address problems specific to participants’ own workplaces. The course builds on the material in OPSEU/SEFPO’s Level 1 course and assumes that participants have a basic knowledge of the Occupational Health and Safety Act.

Basic Grievance Handling for Union Building

Prerequisites: None

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.

The Indigenous Journey: Walking Together: Part 2

Prerequisites: The Indigenous Journey : Walking Together: Part 1

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 peoples, we will take you through an overview of the lives of the First Nations, 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 course will offer that opportunity.

Challenging Discrimination in Everyday Union Work

Prerequisites: None

This course looks at everyday situations in our workplaces and union where inequality and racism are at work, and where people can take effective action. It uses case scenarios and analysis to examine different forms of discrimination – race, gender, age and disability – and its divisive effects. It draws from videos and role play to get people to practice responding practically to situations.

The course helps us to see equity and human rights as basic union work for all. And it strengthens our skills as effective allies and advocates to build more inclusive workplaces and locals.

Dismantling Systemic Racism

Prerequisites: Must be an elected leader in your local (ex.  Steward)

Please be advised that the 60 km rule will not be waived for the DSR course.

This course is offered on Saturday, March 15 only.

Those interested in taking the course are encouraged to attend in a group of at least three (3) members from the same local, if possible.

This one-day course “Organizing for Power with an Anti-Racism Lens” is the training for all elected leaders.

As per the OPSEU/SEFPO Constitutional amendment, Article 7 of the Constitution requires mandatory training for elected leaders and bargaining teams on dismantling racism. The goal of OPSEU/SEFPO is “To actively identify and dismantle anti-Black racism, anti-Indigenous racism and all forms of racism and discrimination within its systems and structures so that all members have full access to services and can fully participate in the union.

We are very excited that the one-day training “Organizing for Power: Dismantling Anti-Black, anti-Indigenous and all forms of Racism” is now ready to be offered.

Important Information

• The Participant and Course Selection Process will be carried out in accordance with OPSEU/SEFPO Education Policy.
• Confirmation will only be sent to applicants who are accepted.
• As a reminder, in accordance with OPSEU/SEFPO policy, full attendance is mandatory for participants at the educational. If you are unable to attend with full attendance without an acceptable reason, you will not receive credit for the course and your expenses (if any) may not be paid.
• Lost Wages will not be provided for this Educational.
• Application forms must be signed by one (1) Local Executive Officer (OPSEU/ SEFPO Policy 6.2.2) and received by [email protected]g no later than January 31 2025 by 4:00PM.
• Late applications may not be acknowledged.

If you’re attending online-only

• When registering participants must confirm that they have their own computer with proper internet connections (training cannot be completed over a cell phone). The computer must have a camera which remains on during the training.
• The virtual training is being delivered via Zoom and participants must download the free Zoom software in advance of the training. Please check for the most current version.
• If you are participating in the online-only courses, no expenses outside of Family Care/Attendants claims (if required) will be reimbursed except in special circumstances where expenses have been pre- approved. To inquire further about pre-approval, please email [email protected]
• If you are participating in the online-only courses, no expenses outside of Family Care/Attendants claims (if required) will be reimbursed except in special circumstances where expenses have been pre- approved. To inquire further about pre-approval, please email [email protected]

If you’re attending in-person

• Single accommodation is approved for this Educational.
• OPSEU/SEFPO’s 60km rule will be enforced – this means that if you live further than 60km from the hotel you are entitled to single accommodations.
• You are responsible for booking your own accommodations directly with the hotel, if required. An online direct booking link for rooms in the Event Group Block will be issued to successful applicants at the following rates: Single $209.00 (taxes not included). Individuals may also call the hotel directly, toll free 1-800-CHELSEA (243-5732) or 416-595-1975. These individuals must also identify themselves as part of OPSEU/SEFPO March Educationals to take advantage of the discounted group rate.
• Valet parking will not be covered
• As a reminder, in accordance with OPSEU/SEFPO policy, full attendance is mandatory for participants at the educational. If you are unable to attend with full attendance without an acceptable reason, you will not receive credit for the course and your expenses (if any) may not be paid.
• Persons attending OPSEU/SEFPO meetings are requested to refrain from using perfume, cologne and other fragrances for the comfort of other participants.
• Participants are also to refrain from bringing nut products, bottled water and Coca Cola products to OPSEU/SEFPO Events.
• All applications must be approved/signed by a Local Executive Committee member from the applicants Local, per OPSEU/SEFPO Policy 6.2.2. Applications without the required signatures will not be processed.

Accommodation (in-person only)

• A block of rooms has been reserved at the Chelsea Hotel, 33 Gerrard St W, Toronto, ON M5G1Z4
• Members are responsible for making their own Accommodation and Payment arrangements. Accommodations must be booked no later than February 12, 2025.
• All unreserved rooms will be released for re-sale after this date. OPSEU/SEFPO Policy states that members are responsible for their own rooms and paying for same, you are also responsible for any cancellation. Failing cancellation, you are responsible for the room charges.
• An online direct booking link, and telephone instructions for reserving a hotel room will be issued to successful Educational applicants prior to the hotel-booking deadline of Aug 30, 2024.
• For this event, members living outside 60 kms of the hotel will be entitled to room accommodation. Members will be reimbursed for the cost of a single room.

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 prior to the Weekend Educational (no later than 9:00 A.M. on the Thursday prior to the Educational). When a member does not attend and the Regional Office has not been notified forty-eight (48) hours prior to the Weekend Educational, the member will be assessed a Fifty Dollar ($50.00) penalty. Extenuating circumstances will be taken into consideration.
• A member cancelling participation must notify [email protected] and their local president on or before 9:00AM on March 12, 2025.
• All hotel reservations must be cancelled by 4 pm EST 48 hours (2 days) prior to the day of arrival. Late cancellations will result in a charge of a 1-night stay plus taxes. A valid credit card is required at time of booking

Child / elder/ dependant care

• Use of OPSEU/SEFPO’s on-site child care is encouraged – please complete this child-care registration form to participate.
• Members who arrange their own child care will be reimbursed at $15 an hour to a maximum of $220 per 24-hour period, per OPSEU/SEFPO Policy 4.2.2.
• Child care claims will be honoured for children up to and including age 16, for whom the member is the parent/guardian.
• Friends, family, or professional or Commercial Services or any other arrangement satisfactory may provide care to the member making the claim. Claims may be verified and must be signed by the service provider.
• Members seeking childcare through OPSEU/SEFPO for this educational must include the completed Childcare Registration paperwork with their Application
• If child care is requested, the child/dependant must be in attendance with the program.
• Off-site Family/Attendant care will be reimbursed at the rate of $15.00 per hour to a maximum of $220.00 per 24-hour period and must be signed by the care provider(s). Please complete this Family/Attendant Care form and specify hours claimed for each day. 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.

Transportation (in-person only)

• If you are participating in person, you will be reimbursed for the actual cost incurred for travel by public transportation. As per the policy of the Union, the most economical means of transportation should be used.
• Where a member is required to use their private vehicle, they may claim for such travel at the current The total distance travelled, and destination points are to be indicated on the expense form.
• Members must arrange their own travel and are encouraged to
• Transportation/ Kilometric Rate will be as follows:
  • One (1) OPSEU/SEFPO member travelling alone $0.55/km.
  • Two (2) OPSEU/SEFPO members, $0.60/km.
  • Three (3) OPSEU/SEFPO members $0.65/km.
• Any transportation/kilometric expense claim form involving OPSEU/SEFPO members as passengers must have the members name and address on the expense form.
• All expenses must be submitted on proper Expense Claim Forms or via the Member Portal.

Lost wages

• Lost Wages will not be provided for this Educational as per OPSEU/SEFPO Policy; this means that time-off letters are not being issued for this Educational.

Meals (in-person only)

• Breakfast: Members who stay at the hotel or had to be present for an OPSEU/SEFPO event before 0800 hours (8:00 a.m.) are eligible to claim twenty- two dollars ($22.00).
• Lunch: Members attending this educational may claim thirty dollars ($30.00) lunch on both Saturday and Sunday.
• Dinner: Members who stay at the hotel or had to be present for an OPSEU/SEFPO event past 1700 hours (5:00 m.) are eligible to claim thirty-nine dollars ($39.00).

Advance

• Indicate the amount required on the Advance Form and return to [email protected]

Application

To apply for this event, please download and complete the appropriate fillable forms. Please email the completed forms by Friday, Jan 31 at 4 pm  to [email protected]

• Online-only application form
• In-person-only application form
• In-person Human Rights Accommodation Form
• On-site child care registration form
• Family/Attendant Care Claim Form
• In-person Advance Form