December 3 - 8, 2023
Please note: Registration, welcome dinner and school opening is on Sunday evening. Some workshops will run extended hours or require evening work.
CUPE National has a vaccine policy and you can read it here.
cupe.ca/covid-vaccine-policy-and-return-work-office
The policy applies to CUPE National organized events, including Union Education workshops and National meetings and conferences.
CUPE Education is committed to hosting an event where all CUPE members and staff are safe and able to fully participate.
Depending on the state of the of pandemic at the time of our weeklong school, we may require attendees to confirm their vaccination status, rapid test, and mask.
In registering for this event it is understood that you agree to comply with the protocols we establish to prevent the spread of COVID.
All attendees must arrive in time to attend a mandatory bystander/consent training at 7 p.m. on the Sunday evening.
English
CUPE/SCFP
Michael Stokes Memorial Weeklong School
BARG - Bargaining solidarity
December 4 (9:00am) - 8, 2023 (12:00pm) (-2 spaces available)
This workshop uses an intensive roleplay to help union activists develop the skills they need to build and maintain solidarity throughout the bargaining process. Discussions include analyzing internal and external forces that influence collective bargaining, identifying effective strategies and tactics for engaging members, and thinking about ways to reach marginalized members. NOTE: This workshop is for activists who want to learn how to use collective bargaining to build union power. This is not a “learn how to bargain” workshop.
SLS - Handling discipline and discharge
Dec 4, 2023 (9:00am-12:00pm (Eastern))
Learn about key legal concepts and terms, and the role of stewards during an employer’s investigation, when discipline is given, and during grievance meetings. NOTE: Please bring your collective agreement and Steward Handbook to the workshop.
SLS - Grievance handling
Dec 4, 2023 (1:00pm-4:00pm (Eastern))
Share tips and successful practices with other stewards, and learn strategies for handling difficult grievances. NOTE: Please bring your collective agreement and Steward Handbook to the workshop.
SLS - Notetaking
Dec 5, 2023 (9:00am-12:00pm (Eastern)) (-6 spaces available)
Why do I have to take notes? What kind of notes should I take? Are my notes private? Learn answers to important questions like these, and practice notetaking.
SLS - Solidarity with Indigenous workers
Dec 5, 2023 (1:00pm-4:00pm (Eastern)) (-6 spaces available)
Learn about Canada’s history of colonialism, engage in some myth-busting, and explore ways you can build solidarity with Indigenous workers and support reconciliation in the workplace.
SLS - Creating accommodation-friendly workplaces
Dec 6, 2023 (9:00am-12:00pm (Eastern))
Learn the legal framework for the duty to accommodate, what a good accommodation process and plan look like, and what to do if the employer is not willing to provide reasonable accommodation. NOTE: Please bring your Steward Handbook to the workshop.
SLS - Representing gender and sexually diverse members
Dec 6, 2023 (1:00pm-4:00pm (Eastern))
Homophobia, biphobia, and transphobia play out in our workplaces, locals, and communities. Learn how to challenge these kinds of discrimination, and respectfully represent gender and sexually diverse members in your workplace.
SLS - Creating harassment-free workplaces
Dec 7, 2023 (9:00am-12:00pm (Eastern)) (-6 spaces available)
Learn how to recognize harassment, educate members about harassment, and represent members who are involved in harassment complaints.
SLS - Conflict skills for stewards
Dec 7, 2023 (1:00pm-4:00pm (Eastern))
Unresolved workplace conflict is stressful and weakens the union. Learn about the sources of workplace conflict and how to choose a response that fits the situation. Practice conflict communication skills that will help you resolve conflict at work and in the union.
SLS - Growing our mobilizing power
Dec 8, 2023 (9:00am-12:00pm (Eastern))
Stewards can play a key role when the union needs to mobilize our members – whether it’s to support the bargaining committee, or stop the employer’s attempt to contract out our work. Learn basic mobilization theory and explore how stewards can tackle workplace problems in ways that engage more members and build the union’s power.
LET - Good Meetings
Dec 4, 2023 (9:00am-4:00pm (Eastern))
"Have you ever sat through a meeting, either as a participant or a facilitator that you knew could be more focused, efficient, inclusive, or effective? We use Bourniot's rules of parliamentary procedure to make important decisions in a way that is fair. But sometimes a different kind of conversation is needed to be inclusive and build our movement. In this workshop, executive members learn a how to find and lead the right process for the work that needs to get done." Parliamentary procedure is an important part of our democratic process in CUPE. Some conversations are better had using other approaches. How do you decide when parli-pro is needed and when another approach could help? Build your facilitation skills for supporting effective and inclusive discussions, learn and practice some processes that you can use in your day to day work.
LET - Parliamentary Procedure
Dec 5, 2023 (9:00am-4:00pm (Eastern))
Dec 6, 2023 (9:00am-12:00pm (Eastern))
This workshop is about following rules of order when chairing union meetings. Learn about the role of the chair and the different elements (motions, amendments, points of order, etc.). Get a chance to put the learning into practice. NOTE: Please bring a copy of your local bylaws to the workshop.
LET - Conflict-Ready Executives
Dec 6, 2023 (1:00pm-4:00pm (Eastern))
In this workshop, participants will explore: - The value of conflict for effective groups - How our beliefs about conflict shape how we respond - The kinds of conflict executives struggle with - Productive ways to resolve conflict on an executive
LET - Essentials for Inclusive Unions
Dec 7, 2023 (9:00am-4:00pm (Eastern))
As activists in our unions, we often ask why members are not more involved. This workshop asks a different question: Who is involved and who isn't and what might be some reasons why? How might our unconscious biases contribute to this? How can we represent members in a way that invites those on the margins to get involved and to see the union as place where they want to make a difference?
LET - Duty of Fair Representation
Dec 8, 2023 (9:00am-12:00pm (Eastern))
Learn about your local's duty to represent the members in your union, the legal requirements of fair representation and how it applies to your collective agreement and other laws covering your workplace.
Arbitration
December 4 (9:00am) - 8, 2023 (12:00pm)
This workshop is aimed at CUPE stewards and officers who are active in grievance procedures. Participants will gain a complete understanding of the arbitration process. You will have a chance to do the kinds of research that must be done before an arbitration hearing. Your local and your members will benefit from your new skiils! This workshop is designed for those members who have taken Introduction to Stewarding and some Steward Learning Series workshops and have experienced preparing and presenting a grievance. Please note, this workshop requires evening work.
White Oaks Resort & Spa
235 Taylor Road SS4
Niagara on the Lake, Ontario
(map)
$2000
Registration fee is $2,000 for the week. Registration fee includes accommodation, continuous refreshment service and meals (Sunday dinner to Friday noon).
Registration payment must be submitted by mail upon registration. Please make cheque payable to the Canadian Union of Public Employees (MSS) and mail to CUPE - Ontario Regional Office, 80 Commerce Valley Drive E., Markham, ON L3T 0B2. Attn: Collette Calvelli. DO NOT make cheques payable to the Ontario Division or they will be returned. Payment must be received by November 3, 2023 or spaces will be released and given to a member on the wait list.
PAYMENT DEADLINE: November 3, 2023. No refunds will be issued after this date.
PLEASE NOTE & READ CAREFULLY: Registrations must be completed with the name of the member who is attending the workshop. Any registrations where one name is entered multiple times in order to hold space will be deleted without notification. Registrations marked TBA will not be accepted and will also be deleted. Payment must be recieved within 14 days of registration or space will be given to another member on the waitlist where payment has been received.
There is a maximum of 5 attendees per local for the school. Any registrations beyond the 5 allowed will be deleted.
In response to the health concerns of our members and staff, CUPE has implemented a Scent-Free Policy at all of our workshops. Scented products such as hair spray, perfume and deodorant can trigger reactions such as respiratory distress and headaches. Facilitators and participants are asked to refrain from using scented products while attending our workshops and meetings. Thank you for your cooperation.
Collette Calvelli
CCalvelli@cupe.ca