Region 3 Educational – June 3, 4

Applications are now open for Region 3 educational courses taking place on June 3 and 4 at the Fern Resort in Ramara.

The application deadline is Thursday, April 6 at 4:30pm EST. You can apply by emailing this fillable PDF to region3@opseu.org

Courses

The follow four courses will offered on June 3 from 9 am and 5 pm EST and on June 4 from 9 am to 12 noon.

Follow the Money

A First Course in Public Economics Are you worried about your economic future and that of your children? Are you frustrated by the growing gap between the soaring wages of CEO’s and the stagnant take-home pay of your family? As a union member and a public employee, are you surprised that you have somehow become “the problem”? Follow the Money: A First Course in Public Economics takes you on a guided tour of today’s economy. We’ll examine who runs it and who doesn’t. We’ll look at how economics is tied up with politics and the role played by corporate power and public relations. Lastly, we’ll draw some inspiration from folks who are fighting for a fair economy and identify what we can do to be part of those struggles in our locals and communities.

Health and Safety: Level 2

This course is designed for Health and Safety committee members and union activists with a strong interest in Health and Safety. Participants learn how to be more effective members of their JHSCs as they work in small groups learning how to better identify, categorize, and control hazards. Using case studies and examples from their own workplaces, participants learn how to improve workplace inspections, and how to begin accident and illness investigations. The course offers the opportunity to prioritize and strategize around health and safety problems and to address problems specific to participants’ own workplaces. The course builds on the material in OPSEU/SEFPO’s Level 1 course and assumes that participants have a basic knowledge of the Occupational Health and Safety Act. Members must complete Health and Safety: Level 1 before taking this course

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.

Union Skills for Workplace Investigations

Have you ever been called, at the last minute, to the employer’s office to “represent” a member who is being accused of serious wrong-doings? Have you wondered what to do and how best to represent this person, particularly if you suspect that they may have broken a rule or two? This hands-on course takes you step by step, through a workplace investigations process. It starts with the first contact with the member through to the response to the investigation findings, with lots of practice in between. Through case studies and a variety of active exercises, you’ll practise interviewing the member, anticipating the investigator’s questions, preparing the member for meeting the investigator, taking good notes at the meeting, and working with the member to respond to the findings. The Resource Toolkit has additional information about investigations in different sectors, use of surveillance and other issues.

Application information

The application deadline is Thursday, April 6 at 4:30pm EST. You can apply by emailing this fillable PDF to region3@opseu.org

Those accepted will receive a confirmation letter if selected, along with the time-off request form, child care request form, and hotel information form for completion.

Application

• Application forms must be signed and ranked by the Local President or Designate, and received by the Region 3 email address region3@opseu.org no later than Thursday April 06, 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

• Members will be reimbursed for family care (child care/ elder care/dependent care) at a rate of $15.00 an hour to a maximum of $220.00 in a 24 hour period.
• Child care 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. Childcare will not be provided for members who bring their children and spouse to the event.

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 Claims@opseu.org. Multiple events on one form will be returned to the member for
correction.

Accommodations

A block of rooms has been reserved at Fern Resort, under the group name “OPSEU2023JUN” and is
based on OPSEU/SEFPO policy of shared accommodations.

• Once acceptance to the educational is confirmed, Members are responsible for booking their own accommodations directly with Fern Resort and no later than Friday May 05, 2023. 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 region3@opseu.org by the hotel booking deadline.
• If members are unable to attend, they are responsible for cancelling their reservation.
• Members will be reimbursed for the double occupancy rates listed below, ONLY if they share accommodations with another OPSEU/SEFPO Member attending the event. Members choosing the single occupancy rate, will be reimbursed %50 of the cost as per OPSEU/SEFPO Policy and will be responsible for the balance of accommodation charges. Members are encouraged to share a room with other local members.
  • Friday Night:
    • Single Occupancy: $225 + 18% Event Services Fee and 13% HST= $300.02
      Includes Breakfast on Saturday
    • Double Occupancy: $185 + 18% Event Services Fee and 13% HST= $246.68
      Includes Breakfast on Saturday (price listed is per Member)
  • Saturday Night:
    • Single Occupancy: $299 + 18% Event Services Fee and 13% HST= $398.69
      Includes Lunch and Dinner on Saturday, and Breakfast on Sunday
    • Double Occupancy: $259 + 18% Event Services Fee and 13% HST= $345.35
      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: $75 + 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. 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: $145 + 18% Event Services Fee and 13% HST= $193.34 -Includes Breakfast
    on Saturday
  • Saturday Night: $219 + 18% Event Services Fee and 13% HST= $292.01- 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: $65 + 18% Event Services Fee and 13% HST= $86.67 – Includes Lunch
    and Dinner on Saturday, and Breakfast on Sunday
  • Children 4-12 years: $130 + 18% Event Services Fee and 13% HST= $173.34 – Includes
    Lunch and Dinner on Saturday, and Breakfast on Sunday
  • Children 13-17 years: $194 + 18% Event Services Fee and 13% HST= $258.68 – 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.

Meals

Meals that are included in the room rates will not be allowable expenses even if you do not eat at the resort. Fern Resort will be providing breakfast/lunch/dinner on Saturday & breakfast on Sunday.

Friday Night: No meals provided. If you would like to dine at Fern Resort on Friday, you must add this to your reservation when booking with Fern Resort. Dinner can be claimed as per OPSEU/SEFPO policy.

Saturday: Breakfast, lunch and dinner will be provided for Members staying overnight at Fern Resort. Lunch will be provided to all members who are attending the event but not staying overnight.

Sunday: Breakfast and lunch will be provided for Members staying overnight at Fern Resort.

Fern Resort Pet Policy

Fern Resort has a strict no pets policy. Registered service animals are permitted. All service animals must be registered with Fern Resort before arrival. Please ensure that you have an approved HR Accommodation on file to support the need of a service animal. All service animals must remain with their owner at all times and must be on a leash at all times outside of their owners room.

Statement of Respect

Harassment or discrimination of any kind will not be tolerated at OPSEU/SEFPO functions.

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.