CUPE FALL WEEKLONG SCHOOL 2024

OCTOBER 27 – NOVEMBER 1, 2024

Westin Resort & Spa Whistler B.C.

 

 

WORKSHOP CATALOGUE 

 

ADVANCED GRIEVANCE HANDLING: 

BUILDING THE BEST CASE FROM GRIEVANCE TO ARBITRATION 

Here is a little-known fact about grievance arbitrations: they are sometimes won or lost even before  any hearing dates are set. How a grievance is investigated, processed, and organized can have a  huge impact. This workshop will teach participants about how to best prepare grievances to  increase their locals’ chances of success at arbitration. 

Topics include: grievance investigation and witness interviews, with a focus on issues that arise in  allegations of member-on-member harassment; advanced note-taking; duty of fair representation;  grievance file management and what a file should include; the grievance procedure, timelines and  corresponding with the employer; basic evidence and select advanced evidence topics, including  surveillance and medical information; and an overview of the arbitration procedure including  preliminary objections and hearings. 

This advanced workshop is geared to experienced stewards, Lead Shop Stewards, and Local  Executive members. (Note: Participants will not learn how to present arbitrations).  

**PLEASE BRING YOUR COLLECTIVE AGREEMENT** 

 

COLLECTIVE BARGAINING 

Participants will leave with a solid understanding of the bargaining process and the factors that  affect collective bargaining. This course also introduces some of the laws and rules that structure  the bargaining process and provides opportunities for hands-on practice and skills development in  preparing for and negotiating parts of a collective agreement. This course is aimed at new  bargaining committee members and local union officers. You may want to bring a calculator for this  course. 

 

STEWARD LEARNING SERIES 

This is for NEW Shop Stewards but MUST have already taken Introduction to Stewarding. Please  bring your Collective Agreement and Stewards Passport.  

SLS – Notetaking 

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 – Grievance Handling 

Share tips and successful practices with other stewards, and learn strategies for handling  grievances.

SLS – Duty of Fair Representation 

Learn about where stewards get their authority in the workspace, the duty of fair representation, and other labour laws that cover the workplace. 

Anti-Harassment & Bystander Training 

When we are disrespected in our union, or when harm, harassment, and discrimination happen we are unsafe. We would not accept it from our supervisors and managers at work, and it is not ok in our union space. When we witness other being harmed, oppressed or injured, we can intervene in safe and effective ways before, during, or after a harassing or violent situation. 

SLS – Representing Gender & Sexually Diverse Members 

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 – Solidarity with Indigenous workers 

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 workspace. 

SLS – Conflict skills for stewards 

Unresolved workplace conflict is stressful and weakens the union. Learn about the sources of workplace conflicts 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 – Challenging racism in the workplace 

This workshop covers what racism looks like in the workplace, and your role as a steward in challenging it. 

 

HEALTH & SAFETY SERIES 

HS – Identifying and Documenting Hazards 

In this module, you will learn techniques for identifying hazards, such as body maps, surveys, and inspections. You will also develop a methodology for dealing with the hazards you find. 

HS – Basics of Incident Investigations 

Learn how to identify root causes of workplace incidents, injuries, and diseases, common routes of entry of toxic substances, and your role in the investigation process. 

HS – Recommendations and notetaking 

Learn how to take notes at committee meetings and prepare recommendations. 

HS – Making Committees Work 

This module explores the structure, role and functions of health and safety committees, their strengths and limitations, and how they can best work within the legislative framework, and within our union. 

HS – Preventing Mental Injuries at Work 

New forms of work, job security, work intensification, high demands, violence and a resulting poor work-life balance are resulting in psychosocial mental health problems in CUPE workplaces. This module focuses on the workplace as the cause or contributor to mental health issues, and not the individual. Discuss strategies and actions that actually help make workplaces psychologically healthier and safer.  

HS – Mobilizing around Health & Safety  

In this workshop you will learn what mobilizing for health and safety looks like, how to engage members around health and safety in your workplace and how to create a mobilizing plan. NOTE: Please bring your binder and Health and Safety Committee Resource Kit.  

HS – Law and Orders 

This module covers the basic origins of health and safety law, how to find, read and interpret relevant section of law and highlights some of the more important aspects of the specific health and  safety law that applies to you.  

HS – Violence Prevention 

This module examines the risk factors that lead to violence in the workplace, and the employer’s obligations to prevent workers from being exposed to and injured by violence while at work. We examine relevant health and safety laws, and start to develop strategies to make our workplaces safe.  

 

MENTAL HEALTH 

** Additional charge of $275.00 ** 

BC Mental Health First Aid  

Mental Health First Aid is designed to give you skills to assist someone who is experiencing a Mental Health crisis.  

 

YOUNG LEADERS 

Explore the Weeklong Young Leaders Workshop, designed to equip young activists in the Union movement with the essential skills and knowledge to be an effective leader. Regardless of your level of experience in the labour movement, we are confident that you will gain valuable insights as we explore crucial topics such as workplace harassment, bystander intervention, labour history, leadership essentials, bargaining, effective meetings, and global labour issues.  

Delve into the strategic aspects of collective bargaining, where you’ll learn to leverage union power for fair working conditions. You will discover your leadership potential and strategies to foster solidarity within your local union and community. You will master the art of conducting efficient and inclusive meetings using parliamentary procedures. And lastly, we will explore the global impact of workers’ solidarity and the interconnectedness of local and international labour issues.  

Join us as we empower, educate, and lead towards a stronger union and improved working conditions for all.