The Health, Safety and Industrial Relations Training Fund was established in 1987 through negotiations within the Energy and Chemical Workers Union.

 

Senior Union officials at the time were concerned about the capacity of Locals to respond to management initiatives in the areas of work organization, job design and labour relations.

 

The purpose of the Fund was to develop and deliver industrial relations training so that Locals could better anticipate and deal with new employer programs.

 

Today, with more than 90 energy sector bargaining units representing over 10,000 members and spanning approximately 60 employers from all regions of Canada, the Fund continues on that theme. Its mandate is to equip Local Union leaders with the required knowledge, skills and tools to deal proactively with ongoing change in employer strategies, membership needs and expectations, and workplace challenges and opportunities.