The Stewards 1 course will be taught during a Sault St-Marie education session on Friday, May 3, 2024 from 9:00 am to 4:30 pm. It is an in-person event taking place at the Sault Ste. Marie Regional Office, 154 Great Northern Road.
The application deadline is Friday, Apr 5 at 4:30pm. To apply, download and complete this application form, have it signed by a Local Executive Officer, and email it to tgardiner@opseu.org.
Stewards 1
Stewards 1 includes a detailed description and history of OPSEU/SEFPO’s equity-seeking groups. The course continues to support stewards through a range of tools and practical activities. 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. Stewards 1 is a prerequisite to Stewards 2 and must be completed before taking Stewards 2. Participants should bring their collective agreements.
Registration and Human Rights Accommodation Requests are to be submitted to Tracy Gardiner at the Sault Ste. Marie Regional Office by April 5, 2024 by 4:30pm.
Applications
Completed application forms must include the signed recommendation of a Local Executive Officer and be received by the Sault Ste. Marie Regional Office no later than April 5, 2024 by 4:30pm.
Application approval: modified process
Please be advised members applying to attend OPSEU/SEFPO education programs or conferences normally require a signature from a member of the LEC to approve the application. If they are unable to sign the form please have them forward an email with their approval.
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 April 8, 2024 of their acceptance for the educational where they will be provided with further information.
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. 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. Such allowance is not intended to reimburse the claimant for dependant/family expenses they would have normally incurred as a result of employment except where the absence exceeds the normal work day or week.
Family/dependent care will be reimbursed at the rate of $15.00 per hour. If you have any questions, please check the OPSEU/SEFPO Policy Manual.
Lost wages/time off
Per past practice, lost wages will be paid for those members who are scheduled to work May 3, 2024 or any pre or post night shift. Any claim for lost wages must be substantiated by proof from your employer.
For more information, please contact Tracy Gardiner at OPSEU/SEFPO Regional Office Telephone: 1-844-765-1421 Ext. 5621 or tgardiner@opseu.org