Region 3 Educational – Feb. 3 and 4, 2024

PDF of call-outHuman Rights Accommodation Request FormAdvance Request FormA Region 3 Educational will be held on February 3 and 4, 2024 at the Fern Resort, 4432 Fern Resort Rd, Ramara, ON L3V 0Z1

Course descriptions and times

Saturday, February 3rd 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. & Sunday, February 4th 9:00a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Basic Grievance Handling for Union Building

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.

Organizing to Win

The Organizing to Win workshop explores principles, strategies and techniques of internal organizing as a process for empowering workers, strengthening the Local, and building a strong trade union movement. Participants will focus on discussing organizing strategies, mapping networks, identifying organic leaders and practicing the organizing conversations. Together we will build our power to create a movement that ensures all workers’ rights are respected. This course includes some materials and resources created by Labor Notes: Secrets of a Successful Organizer https://labornotes.org/secrets. It also draws from the ideas of Jane McAlevey https://janemcalevey.com

Public Speaking – Finding your Voice, Connecting with your Audience

Have you ever felt intimidated when you are a speaker in front of a large group? Have you ever wondered what you need to consider when planning and preparing a short presentation for the public? Whether you”d like to strengthen your presentation skills, look more confident and credible, define your core message, organize your thoughts, or find new and effective ways to collaborate with your team, this course will give you practical skills you need to communicate successfully. You will have an opportunity to practice and hone your presentation skills in a small group setting while concentrating on your message and target audience.

Women In Unions: Strengthening Leadership

This course is for diverse women who are just getting involved in OPSEU, who want to know how things work and how they can make a difference in the union. Participants will bring their own experience of the workplace, community and union to develop an analysis of what is needed in their locals, and how they can contribute to building an inclusive union. Through hands-on activities, women will practise making their voices heard, and will develop strategies for supporting the involvement of other diverse women in the union.

Application

Application forms must be signed by the Local President or Designate, and received by the Region 3 email address [email protected] no later than Friday December 15, 2023 by 4:30pm. Application forms & 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

Child care application formMembers will be reimbursed for family care (childcare/ elder care/dependent care) at a rate of $15.00 an hour to a maximum of $220.00 in a 24 hour period.Childcare 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.

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.

Accommodation

A block of rooms has been reserved at the Fern Resort, Ramara and is based on OPSEU/SEFPO policy of shared accommodations. The Group Code will be sent out with acceptance letters.Once acceptance to the educational is confirmed, Members are responsible for booking their own accommodations directly with Fern Resort and no later than Friday January 5, 2024. 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: $235 + 18% Event Services Fee and 13% HST= $313.35
• Includes Breakfast on Saturday
• Double Occupancy: $195 + 18% Event Services Fee and 13% HST= $260.01
• Includes Breakfast on Saturday (price listed is per Member)

Saturday Night:

• Single Occupancy: $309 + 18% Event Services Fee and 13% HST= $412.02
• Includes Lunch and Dinner on Saturday, and Breakfast on Sunday
• Double Occupancy: $269 + 18% Event Services Fee and 13% HST= $358.68
• Includes Lunch and Dinner on Saturday, and Breakfast on Sunday (price listed is per Member)
• Hotel Accommodations are not approved for members living within 60 Kilometers of the hotel location.
• Day Meeting Rate: $85 + 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. The 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: $155 + 18% Event Services Fee and 13% HST= $206.68 – Includes Breakfast on Saturday
• Saturday Night: $229 + 18% Event Services Fee and 13% HST= $305.35 – 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: $68 + 18% Event Services Fee and 13% HST= $90.67 – Includes Lunch and Dinner on Saturday, and Breakfast on Sunday
• Children 4-12 years: $135 + 18% Event Services Fee and 13% HST= $180.01 – Includes Lunch and Dinner on Saturday, and Breakfast on Sunday
• Children 13-17 years: $202 + 18% Event Services Fee and 13% HST= $269.35 – 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.

Statement of Respect

Whenever OPSEU/SEFPO members gather, we welcome all peoples of the world. We will not accept any unwelcoming words, actions or behaviours against our union members. We accord respect to all persons, regardless of age, creed, political affiliation and racialization including and not limited to People of African descent, Black, Caribbean, South Asian, Asian, women, men, First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples, members of ethno-racial groups, people with disabilities, gays, lesbians, bisexual, trans, two-spirit, and gender diverse persons, Francophones and all persons whose first language is not English.In our diversity we will build solidarity as union members.If you believe that you are being harassed or discriminated against, contact the Facilitator or Instructor for immediate assistance.

Allergy Alert

Scent, Peanuts and Nut-Free PolicyWorkers are becoming sensitized to chemicals, scented products and certain foods such as peanuts, peanut butter, pecans, walnuts, many chocolate bars and energy/nutrition bars.For many individuals, attending conferences, meetings etc. and being exposed to perfumes, other strong scents and certain foods can pose serious health risks such as asthma attacks, respiratory problems and/or migraine headaches.In the interest of the health and safety of the sisters and brothers whose health may suffer from any of these exposures, we ask that you refrain from wearing or using scented products, peanut and nut products at all OPSEU/SEFPO events and OPSEU/SEFPO locations.

Alerte aux allergies

Politique pour un environnement sans parfums, sans arachides et sans noixLes travailleurs sont de plus en plus sensibles aux produits chimiques, aux produits parfumés et à certains aliments, tels que les arachides, le beurre d’arachide, les pacanes et les noix (famille des noix), ainsi qu’à de nombreuses barres de chocolat et barres énergétiques et nutritives.Pour de nombreuses personnes qui assistent aux conférences, réunions, etc., une exposition aux parfums et autres produits fortement odorants, ainsi qu’à certains aliments, peut poser un risque grave pour la santé, tels que crises d’asthme, problèmes respiratoires et/ou migraines.Dans l’intérêt de la santé et de la sécurité de nos consœurs et confrères sujets aux effets néfastes d’une exposition à ces produits, nous vous demandons de ne pas porter ou utiliser des produits parfumés et de ne pas avoir avec vous arachides, noix et produits contenant des noix lorsque vous vous trouvez à une activité ou dans un local du SEFPO/OPSEU, quels qu’ils soient.