Saturday, Oct. 3, from 9:00am – 5:00pm and Sunday, Oct. 4, from 9:00am – 1:00pm
Event Information And Course Selection:
Registration Deadline – Applications must be received by email no later than Friday, September 11 by 2pm.
Course Confirmations – Once your application has been received, you will be automatically enrolled in your course selection. Electronic Course Materials will be emailed to all registered participants prior to the course start date along with a ZOOM course link.
The course will be held virtually by ZOOM on Saturday, Oct. 3, from 9am – 5pm and on Sunday, Oct. 4, from 9am – 1pm.
Course Descriptions
Stewards 1: Making a Difference in the Workplace
This course supports stewards through a range of tools and practical activities and includes a detailed description and history of OPSEU/SEFPO’s equity-seeking groups. 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.
Note: Stewards 1 is a prerequisite to Stewards 2 and must be completed before taking Stewards 2.
Participants should bring their Collective Agreements.
Duty to Accommodate 1: 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.
Introduction to Grievance Handling: Rights Enforcement in the Organizing Toolbox
This course replaces Basic Grievance Handling for Union Building
This course establishes the fundamental skills required for a Steward to contribute leadership to handling grievances, in an organizing and equity framework. Participants will learn up-to-date legal best practices around how to analyze workplace issues, identify legal contraventions, interview witnesses, manage documentation and evidence, draft grievance statements, and deal with management – and support the Grievor throughout the process. Participants learn about grievances as a legal tool that members use together to enforce existing rights – and how to address complex real-life situations, such as systemic human rights and equity issues. Participants explore actively combining grievances with broader organizing tools to maximize worker participation, build power over the employer, and win new rights. This course prepares a Steward to represent the Union in grievances and lays the foundation for more advanced grievance handling courses.
Local Treasurers Course
This course is aimed at Local Treasurers and Trustees who are either new to the role, or experienced members who are seeking a “refresher” course. The goal is to give the necessary tools and education to Local Treasurers and Trustees in order for them to fulfill their roles in the Local. It will also draw on members’ experiences to solve problems occurring with the administration of Local funds.
Region 1 Virtual Weekend Educational – Application Form
Please download this application form. Once complete, please email to [email protected] by 2 pm on Sept 11, 2026.
Event Information:
When registering, participants MUST confirm that they have access to a computer with proper internet connections (training can NOT be completed over a cell phone). The computer must have audio and a camera. We highly recommend leaving the camera ‘on’ during the training for FULL PARTICIPATION.
This virtual training is being delivered via ZOOM. If you do not have ZOOM, please download the FREE ZOOM software at www.zoom.us in advance of the training.
Please Note:
As these courses are being held virtually, no Expenses will be reimbursed including Family/Attendant Care & Child Care Expenses, except in special circumstances where expenses have been pre-approved. To inquire further about pre-approval, please email Leeann Crossey, Convenor at [email protected] and copy Mary MacDonald, Regional Secretary at [email protected].
LOST WAGES will NOT be reimbursed. OWN TIME is NOT paid for virtual training. *LBED members must submit an RUL (unpaid). If required, you are responsible for making your own time-off arrangements.
Complete the HR Accommodation Form for any specific accommodation requests. Please email the completed form to the Equity Unit at [email protected] and copy Mary MacDonald, Regional Secretary at [email protected].
As a reminder in accordance with OPSEU/SEFPO policy, full attendance is mandatory for all 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.
Email completed Application to Mary MacDonald, London Regional Secretary at [email protected]
Application Deadline: September 11, 2026 by 2pm.