“Turtle Island” Course
“Fight Back/Political Action” Course
The next Pacific Region 5-day Education Seminars will be held in conjunction with the Prairie Region in Whistler, B.C. from September 14 to 18, 2015. These are Paid Education Leave (PEL) courses so we are limited to twenty (20) participants in total or ten (10) in each class per Region.
The courses being offered are as follows:
1. Turtle Island
The Turtle Island course gives an overview of the history of the indigenous people of Turtle Island (North America) as told by Aboriginal workers, who also facilitate it.
Participants will begin the process of understanding the shared struggles of Aboriginal People and Unions. They will deepen their understanding of the general concepts of partnerships and representative workforce. Providing factual information will dispel the current myths and misconceptions that surround Aboriginal People. In a positive environment, participants will examine the barriers to diversity in the workplace. By exploring their personal attitudes towards an inclusive work environment they will build their capacity to become instruments of change. For solidarity to occur, organized labour and Aboriginal people must work together for both to achieve their goals.
2. Fighting Back/Political Action : A Primer in Local Postal Worker Power
This participant-focused course, also known as the “activist” course, aims to assist members to focus their power at the local level by seeking and deepening alliances within the community, labour movement and workplace, while finding the roles that they can play to strengthen their individual parts, and as a whole.
The political action component aims to help participants improve their lobbying, canvassing, outreach and campaign capacity with a focus on municipal and federal politics. Participants learn how to have a more effective impact on their elected representative – through a meeting, strategic direct action, or removing a hostile MP at the ballot box.
As these courses are offered under the PEL provision of our collective agreement, all costs including loss of wages, transportation and meals will be paid by the National Union. As bus transportation will be supplied, those choosing to take their personal vehicle will not be compensated for mileage or parking and bus fare will be provided to the Vancouver Bus Depot only.
Interested members should be made aware that all sessions of the courses offered are mandatory and that there will be some evening sessions. Please instruct participants to inform the REOO of any medical conditions that must be considered and ask all participants to refrain from wearing any fragrances during the sessions to protect those with fragrance sensitivity allergies.
Download registration form HERE.
The deadline for registration for Vancouver Local applicants is 4:00 p.m. on July 27, 2015. Please ensure your applications are received at the Vancouver Local office by that date, any application received after the deadline will not be considered. All applications must be approved by our Local Executive and the registration form must be signed by our Local President or designate.