Table of Contents
Region 7 will be hosting an educational in Kenora on March 29 and 30, 2025.
- Location
- Kenora – Clarion Hotel, 470 1st Avenue South, Kenora, ON, P9N 1W7, Canada
- Dates
- March 29, 2025 – 8:30 am to 5:00 pm
- March 30, 2025 – 9:00 am to 1:00 pm
- Application deadline
- Application forms must be emailed to [email protected] or faxed to 1-807-697-0862 by February 7, 2025
Courses
Challenging Discrimination in Everyday Union Work
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.
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.
Health and Safety: Level One
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.
Social Media for Union Activists
The increasing use of social media has become a reality in our union work. With this reality, come both pitfalls and opportunities. “Social Media for Union Activists” will explore what social media is and how to spot both the opportunities and difficulties when using social media. Recognizing that social media is an important part of many of our members lives, participants will examine what risks are inherent when using social media and what case law has been telling us.
Participants will explore what makes a successful social media campaign and develop some practical applications for social media use within Locals. Upon completing the course participants will be able to confidently use social media in their union work.
Stewards 1: Making a Difference in the Workplace
This course will build and strengthen the skills of a steward. Participants will explore the role of the steward throughout the bargaining cycle, including organizing their local, having effective one-on-one conversations, developing a communications strategy to enlist diverse member involvement, and learning strategies for everyday workplace problems.
Throughout the course, participants are supported as they develop a profile of their members, find resources and information in OPSEU/SEFPO, and understand their role in the grievance process. Stewards 1 is a prerequisite to Stewards 2. Participants should bring their collective agreements.
Applications
Completed application forms must include the signed recommendation or an approval email from a Local Executive Officer and be received by the Dryden Regional Office no later than February 7, 2025. Please note applications will not be accepted after this date.
Applicants will be notified after February 12, 2025, of their acceptance for the educational.
The application form, childcare requests and Human Rights Accommodation Requests if required, are to be submitted to Linda Robinson via email [email protected] or fax 1-807-697-0862 by February 7, 2025.
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 after February 12, 2025 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 (no later than 4:30 P.M. on the Wednesday prior to the weekend 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. If you have any questions, please check the OPSEU/SEFPO Policy Manual.
Members seeking childcare onsite must make their request through the Dryden Regional Office by February 7, 2025.
Lost Wages/Time Off
Per past practice, lost wages will be paid for those members who are shift workers and are scheduled to work on Friday, March 28 and/or Saturday, March 29 and/or Sunday, March 30. Any claim for lost wages must be substantiated by proof from your employer.
Travel Time
Lost wage claims will also be accepted for those members who are not shift workers and who have to take time off to travel to the educational. Claims will only be honoured for the time that is required to travel.
Transportation
Arrangements have been made for a motor coach for the members travelling from Thunder Bay to Dryden. The coach will leave the Thunder Bay Regional Office at noon on Friday, March 28 and will arrive in Kenora in time for dinner Friday evening. In compliance with the “Greening OPSEU” plan to reduce our carbon footprint that was passed at Convention in 2006 and in the interest of cost savings, all participants are requested to travel on the motor coach. Please indicate on the registration form if you will be utilizing the coach. Due to liability issues the consumption of alcohol on the bus will no longer be allowed. Please respect this expectation.
Alternate travel expense claims for those members travelling from Thunder Bay will only be paid with the advance approval Ed Arvelin, the Regional Vice-President.
Accommodation And Meals
Accommodation will be provided for those members who must travel 60 kilometres or more. Reservations may be made by contacting the Clarion Hotel at (807) 468-5521. Please tell them you are booking with OPSEU/SEFPO.
Members who bring children to the Educational will be entitled to single accommodation. The meal allowance for children under 13 years of age should be 50% of OPSEU/SEFPO’s standard meal allowance. If you require special assistance at the hotel, please notify the hotel at the time of making your reservations.
Lunch will be provided on Saturday. If you have any food allergies or special dietary requirements please ensure a Human Rights Accommodation Request Form is submitted.