The spring education seminars for the Pacific Region will be held at the Harrison Hot Springs Resort & Spa, 100 Esplanade Avenue, Harrison Hot Springs, B.C. (Phone 1-800-663-2266).
The following courses will be held April 6 (evening) to Sunday, April 9, 2017:
BASIC SHOP STEWARD COURSE
Stewards are the backbone of the union. The aim of this course is to provide new stewards with knowledge and confidence. Topics covered include: the roles of the steward, tips for dealing with management and speaking with members, the steward as organizer/mobilizer, how to investigate and file a grievance, and key provisions of the urban operations, RSMC and private sector bargaining unit collective agreements. This course is for members wanting to become a shop steward, or to have a better understanding of the rights and duties of a shop steward. Participants will also learn how to represent members in disciplinary interviews, health and safety, the importance of meeting new members, and our rights under federal legislation. This course will give participants the tools they need to better defend and inform the members, and build solidarity in the workplace.
SOCIAL STEWARDS COURSE
Social Stewards are resource people who assist co-workers experiencing personal problems. They listen to people, help them identify their concerns and find solutions, and refer them to appropriate resources. As set out in D-32 of the constitution, social stewards are part of a network the union is building across the country. This course is for members who wish to become social stewards.
During this 3-day course, participants become familiar with the role of the social steward through small group work, discussions, and role-play. They learn ways to support members, how to approach workplace problems, and the preventative union approach. Participants also look at how to gather and share information on the resources available to deal with members’ problems. Members applying for the social steward course must complete the attached questionnaire.
GRIEVANCE HANDLING COURSE
This course is designed for those members and Shop Stewards responsible for handling of the Local’s grievances. The aim of this course is to reinforce participant’s grievance knowledge, as well as their investigation and advocacy skills. Participants will examine the role of a shop steward in filling out grievance investigation forms; back up that is required; interviewing grievors; researching and investigating a grievance. Shop Steward rights, distinguishing between fact and opinion, active listening and the duty of fair representation are other topics that will be covered.
The following course will be held April 6 (evening) to Monday, April 10, 2017:
LETTER CARRIER ROUTE MEASUREMENT COURSE FOR OBSERVERS*
Participants will gain knowledge of the Letter Carrier Route Measurement System (LCRMS) and the Mail Courier Work Structuring Systems (MSCWSS), including the new Postal Transformation work methods, so they can make the route measurement system work to the members’ best advantage. You will also learn the role of a Union Observer and how to prepare the membership for a volume count, a restructure and a successful grievance for arbitration. Priority will be given to Locals that have restructures scheduled in 2017.
Please note: The Union will supply bus transportation for participants from the Lower Mainland. Participants choosing to take their personal vehicles will not be compensated for mileage or parking unless prior approval has been granted by the Education & Organization Officer. The seminars start with an evening session on April 6, 2017, and all selected participants are expected to arrive by 5:00 p.m.
The Vancouver Local’s deadline for applications is February 22, 2017, at 12:00 p.m. (noon) and the completed applications must be received at the Vancouver Local office. Please note the registration form has been updated and has to be completed in its entirety. All applications must be approved by your Local Executive and the registration form must be signed by the Local President or designate. The application form is attached as well as the additional questionnaire for the social steward.
Click to download: Application Form | Social Steward Questionnaire
ck/CUPE-3338