Applications
Please download and complete this 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 North Bay Regional Office no later than May 6, 2024 at 12:00 pm to clegacy@opseu.org
Location
Best Western – North Bay Hotel and Conference Centre
700 Lakeshore Dr., North Bay, ON P1A 2G4
Accommodations
Primary:
Best Western , 700 Lakeshore Dr. , North Bay, ON P1A 2G4 , (705) 474-5805
Overflow:
Comfort Inn, 676 Lakeshore Dr.,, North Bay, ON P1A 2G4, (705) 494-9444
A block of rooms will be held aside for this event, please make reservations under the group name: OPSEU at a rate of $139.99 +tax on or before May 17th, 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 (full hot buffet) will be provided during the Plenary Session from 0800 to 0900. Lunch will not be provided; however, a lunch break will be taken on Saturday.
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 (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 May 9th 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.
Course Options & Descriptions:
Mandatory Equity Plenary Session
June 8, 2024 from 0800 to 0900
Best Western – Regency Banquet Room
Breakfast will be provided, and all participants will be required to attend this information session prior to attending the course of their choice.
Stewards 3: Dealing with Discipline
June 8th from 0900 to 1630 & June 9th from 0900 to 1300
Best Western – Regency Banquet Room
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.
Interpreting Your Collective Agreement: An Activist’s Role
June 8th from 0900 to 1630 & June 9th from 0900 to 1300
Best Western – Ontario A Banquet Room
Do you know what your collective agreement is? Do you have a copy of it? Have you ever wondered what is in your collective agreement and how to find information on different articles? Do you know how the collective agreement is structured? Are you confused by some of the terms used in it?
In this newly revised version of the Contract Interpretation course members will be assisted in understanding the power of their collective agreement and how to interpret and enforce their collective agreement. Using interpretation guidelines developed through case law, participants will build the skills and confidence needed to understand and use their collective agreements.
Activities will give participants an opportunity to review legislation, examine the importance of timelines, discuss case scenarios and debate some common clauses and what they mean. Participants should bring their Collective Agreements to the course.
Advancing Union Issues through Labour Management Committees
June 8th from 0900 to 1630 & June 9th from 0900 to 1300
Best Western – Ontario C Banquet Room
Often union-side members become cynical about labour management committee work because the employer refuses to meet, or follow through on action. This course aims to strengthen skills of labour management committees to solve workplace problems and build the union, whether management is cooperating or not.
A variety of activities are used to clarify the union-building potential of LMC’s, to assess the effectiveness of a labour management committee, and to strengthen skills to move a workplace complaint to resolution at the LMC. Attention is paid to a) arguing an issue; b) addressing management tactics; c) using the LMC to communicate with members; d) strategies to mobilize members to back LMC work; e) connecting LMC work to bargaining and mobilizing work in the Local. Bring Your Collective Agreement to this course.
The Indigenous Journey: Walking Together: Part One
June 8th from 0900 to 1630 & June 9th from 0900 to 1300
Best Western – Champlain A Banquet Room (2nd Floor)
The Indigenous Journey: Walking Together: Part One
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.