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Education, Training and Conference
Education has played an enormous role in creating the strong social unions that founded Unifor. At our founding convention, delegates re-affirmed the importance of union education.
The strength of our future is not only at the bargaining table and on the picket line, it is in the classroom.
Unifor’s Locals are on the front lines as we work to ensure the safety of our members throughout this pandemic. This page is meant to help Local leadership and health and safety reps as they navigate this new and fast-changing environment.
On the page, you will find the resources you need to work with your employers to ensure safe working places for your members. As always, your National union is year to provide the supports you need. Your National Representative can help you access any additional resources you may need.
Be sure to check back regularly for new documents and updates.
Resources for Local Unions
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Template letter to employers and managers. If your employer or workplace manager has not yet taken action to address the COVID-19 pandemic, use this template letter to request a meeting or modified workplace practices to ensure the health and safety of all workers.
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Financial Supports for Local Unions with Paid Staff - Get the factsheet
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Financial supports for local unions that rent offices, own buildings, or pay a mortgage - Get the factsheet
Area Schools & Online Education
With regions across the country navigating the various phases of the pandemic and moving towards what we hope will be a return to life pre Covid-19, the Education Department, in consultation with our Area Directors, is preparing to relaunch our popular 1 (one) and 3 (three) day Area Schools.
At this time, strict adherence to regional and local Covid-19 protocols will determine our ability to offer these schools across the country.
Area Schools & Online Education – The Process
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Area schools will be offered based on the needs and demands of Local Unions.
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Local Union requests for training require a minimum of 8 (eight) and a maximum of 20 (twenty) members for an area school to run. If your local has less than 8 members that require training, contact the Education Department for assistance by email at areaschools@unifor.org.
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Local unions can reach out to other Locals in the area to fill a class.
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Classes must be held, where possible, in Unifor Union Halls or Regional Offices. Where this is not possible, other arrangements will be made (accessibility issues will be taken into account).
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The Education Department requires a minimum of 6 (six) weeks notice from the start of a class for preparation purposes.
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Please see the 1 & 3 Day and On-line Course offerings.
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Please visit our website unifor.org/education for full course descriptions.
Online Education
The Education Department will continue to offer on-line education and webinars post pandemic. Contact Patty Barrera for more information and visit our website at onlineeducation.unifor.org
Area Schools Contact
Patty Barrera, National Representative, Education Department patty.barrera@unifor.org
To Register & For Information: pel@unifor.org
Date & Courses Offered
March 6 – 11, 2022 Registration Deadline: Please Submit ASAP
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Health & Safety
March 13 – 18, 2022 Registration Deadline: Please Submit ASAP
March 27 – April 1, 2022 Registration Deadline: February 11, 2022
April 3 – 8, 2022 Registration Deadline: February 18, 2022
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Women’s Advocate Basic Training 40 hr (Bargained Advocates Only – Call for enrolment and application)
April 24 – 29, 2022 Registration Deadline: March 11, 2022
Date & Courses Offered
May 1 – 6, 2022 Registration Deadline: March 25, 2022
Date & Courses Offered
May 8 – 13, 2022 Registration Deadline: April 8, 2022
May 29 – June 3, 2022 Registration Deadline: April 15, 2022
June 12 – 17, 2022 Registration Deadline: April 29, 2022
June 19 – 24, 2022 Registration Deadline: May 6, 2022
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Conflict Resolution
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Grievance Handling & Workplace Leadership
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Harassment Investigation (Pre-requisite: 40 hour Human Rights Training)
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Aboriginal & Workers of Colour Leadership Program -Week 2 (Pre-requisite: AWOC – Week 1)
June 26 – 30, 2022 Registration Deadline: May 13, 2022
PEL funds are not used for Conferences -PEL courses only.
** Courses are occasionally subject to change.
Please check the website to ensure you have the most up-to-date schedule: uniforeducation.org
Questions about the schedule? Please contact pel@unifor.org
The Unifor Family Education Program is funded by the National Union. There is no cost to your local, and you are NOT required to have PEL in your collective agreement in order to apply or send members to this program.
This year we are holding two (2) English language sessions: Summer 2022 Dates:
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Session 1 – Sunday, July 3rd through Sunday, July 10th
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Session 2 – Sunday, August 14th through Sunday, August 21st
Applications must be received in our office no later than Friday, April 22, 2022.
A promotional video can be viewed on our YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P5nEjq2lRz4
Show the promotional video at your next unit meeting. Have copies of the program information, application forms and posters available for your members to take back to their workplace for posting.
We want to restate our practice of first considering families who have never had the opportunity to attend the Family Education Program. Members are not eligible if they have attended within the last 7 years.
The program is open to all Unifor members and their immediate family. For the purpose of the program, immediate family is spouse/partner and dependent children (up to and including age 18 only). THIS DOES NOT INCLUDE GRANDCHILDREN, NIECES, NEPHEWS, ETC.
We also want to make a special appeal to achieve our Unifor goal of equity when it comes to membership access to this important education program. We hope you will do your utmost to promote this amazing opportunity to all Unifor members in your local.
If you have any questions, please contact:
Madison Yourth in the Port Elgin office at 1-800-265-3735, extension 3215,
or by e-mail at family.education@unifor.org
Unifor Racial Justice Advocate 40 Hour Training
Sunday, June 12th – Friday, June 17th, 2022
Unifor Family Education Centre in Port Elgin
The Racial Justice Advocate training is History in the making. We are hosting our very first 40 Hour Racial Justice Advocates training. We have wanted to host this since 2020, but covid has kept us apart. Join us in person in June to engage in the community. This year, the training will be followed by the Black, Indigenous, and workers of colour conference - themed “Radical self-care, Is an Act of Activism.” Locals who can support the advocates to stay for the conference will need to fill in the additional paperwork as they are two separate events.
This training is for the bargained Racial Justice Advocate representatives in the workplace.
This training is a safe space for self-identifying members and the designated bargained representative to share strategies and engage in training that will support the work the advocates will do in their workplaces, union and community.
The conference will be held at the Unifor Family Education Centre in Port Elgin, Ontario. The conference will begin on Sunday, June 12th at 6:00 pm and will adjourn on Friday, June 17th, no later than noon. Please note that room registration and check-in will begin after 3:00 pm on Friday, with dinner served at 6:00 pm. Check-out will be at 10:00 am – Please check out before attending the conference session on Friday morning. We will be offering Childcare to all who require it.
We must listen to each other, and the first step was the call for the change in the name in the constitution. The Regional committees met in March 2022 and unanimously endorsed the name change to Black, Indigenous, and Workers of colour. We have been actively working to advance racial justice and equality in our workplaces and communities. The Committees across the country have not stopped their activism, and we will have time to discuss our next steps.
Reservations and Accommodations
Reservations/Accommodations at the Unifor Family Education Centre will only be made upon receipt of the attached Reservation Form (including registration fee, room and meals, paid in advance by cheque, Visa, MasterCard or American Express).
Deadline for registration for on-site accommodations is Friday, May 20th. Please forward the Reservation Form to the Front Desk via email at confcentre@unifor.org or fax to 519-389-3222.
The registration fee for this conference is $60.
Room and meal rates at the Unifor Family Education Centre are:
Single Occupancy $260.00/night
Single Room with Spouse or Child (17+) $310.00/night
Double Occupancy (sharing with another delegate) $185.00/person per night
Children, age 12-16 $50.00 per child
Children, age 5-12 $25.00 per child
Children, age 5 and under No Charge
Important: TWO cheques must be sent along with a copy of the Reservation Form and (only if necessary) the Meal Requirements form:
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One cheque for the conference registration fee ($60 per delegate)
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A separate cheque for the total cost of room and meals for all delegates (as per above rates)
Both cheques are to be made payable to the Unifor Family Education Centre and mailed, along with a copy of the enclosed Reservation Form and (only if necessary) Meal Requirements form, directly to: Unifor Family Education Centre, 115 Shipley Avenue, Port Elgin ON N0H 2C5.
PLEASE NOTE: If you are also participating in the Unifor Black, Indigenous & Workers of Colour Conference, please make sure you fill-out the Reservation form for that conference in addition to the Reservation form for this 40 hour training.
Cancellations must be made in writing 48 hours prior to the conference. Failure to do so will result in billing for the first night’s accommodation.
If you have any questions about accommodations, please call the Centre at 1-800-265-3735
Unifor Black, Indigenous & Workers of Colour Conference
“Radical Self-care, is an act of Activism”
Friday June 17th – Sunday June 19, 2022
Unifor Family Education Centre in Port Elgin
Join us in person in June to engage in the community. This year’s conference is themed “Radical self-care, Is an Act of Activism.” There will be panel discussions and the unveiling of Unifor’s racial justice work being presented at the Constitutional Convention. This year, the conference will occur after our first Racial Justice advocate training, many of which will stay for the conference and discuss our next steps one workplace at a time. Also, at this conference, we will celebrate Ruth Pryce, our long-standing National Executive Board member and Unifor local 1106 President is retiring. We will be hosting an election for the National Executive Board member. Anyone can run at the conference with support from their local. I ask any interested candidates to send a letter to the Human Rights Department expressing their interest in the position.
2022 is also an election year at our Convention for the top leadership positions of our Union. Black, Indigenous, and Workers of colour will have an opportunity to question the candidates that have put their names forward thus far. The candidates will be given time with the conference to answer questions from members in attendance.
The conference will provide a safe space for members who self-identify to share strategies skills and be in community with each other. The past years since 2019 at our last conference has been challenging for all of us and it is time to get back together to strategize, organize and build the union.
The conference is being held at the Unifor Family Education Centre in Port Elgin, Ontario. The conference will begin on Friday, June 17th at 6:00 pm and will adjourn on Sunday, June 19th, no later than noon. Please note that room registration and check-in will begin after 3:00 pm on Friday, with dinner served at 6:00 pm. Check-out will be at 10:00 am – Please check out before attending the conference session on Sunday morning. We will be offering Childcare to all who require it.
We must listen to each other, and the first step was the call for the change in the name in the constitution. The Regional committees met in March 2022 and unanimously endorsed the name change to Black, Indigenous, and Workers of colour. We have been actively working to advance racial justice and equality in our workplaces and communities. The Committees across the country have not stopped their activism, and we will have time to discuss our next steps.
Reservations and Accommodations
Reservations/Accommodations at the Unifor Family Education Centre will only be made upon receipt of the attached Reservation form (including registration fee, room and meals, paid in advance by cheque, Visa, MasterCard or American Express).
Deadline for registration for on-site accommodations is Friday, May 20th, 2022. Please forward the Reservation form to the Front Desk via email at confcentre@unifor.org or fax to 519-389-3222.
The registration fee for this conference is $60.
Room and meal rates at the Unifor Family Education Centre are:
Single Occupancy $260.00/night
Single Room with Spouse or Child (17+) $310.00/night
Double Occupancy (sharing with another delegate) $185.00/person per night
Children, age 12-16 $50.00 per child
Children, age 5-12 $25.00 per child
Children, age 5 and under No Charge
Important: TWO cheques must be sent along with a copy of the Reservation form, and (only if necessary) the Meal Requirements form:
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One cheque for the conference registration fee ($60 per delegate)
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A separate cheque for the total cost of room and meals for all delegates (as per above rates)
Both cheques are to be made payable to the Unifor Family Education Centre and mailed, along with a copy of the enclosed Reservation form, and (only if necessary) Meal Requirements form, directly to: Unifor Family Education Centre, 115 Shipley Avenue, Port Elgin ON N0H 2C5.
Cancellations must be made in writing 48 hours prior to the conference. Failure to do so will result in billing for the first night’s accommodation.
If you have any questions about accommodations, please call the Centre at 1-800-265-3735.
Unifor's Annual EI/CPP Education Conference
Unifor Family Education Centre, Port Elgin
Friday September 23 to Sunday September 25, 2022
We encourage all Unifor members and Benefit Representatives to attend this conference! Did you get laid off during the pandemic? What happens if you are laid-off again?
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Learn about EI Rules, Policies and Practices from Service Canada Representatives
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Learn about Unifor’s campaign to make permanent EI changes
The pandemic took a toll on all workers especially those in hard hit industries. Many workers had to access temporary Covid relief benefits, and then transitioned to EI. What happens if you or members you represent are laid-off again? Learn the answers to these questions and more…
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How do I apply for EI and what are EI special benefits?
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How can I appeal an EI decision?
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What are the recent changes to EI
Do you plan to retire?
Get a better understanding of Canada’s Pension Plan system and its benefits.
This conference provides the perfect opportunity to understand how CPP works and what your retirement pension will look like and why.Learn the answers to these questions and more…
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How does a divorce affect your CPP?
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What is the impact from retiring at age 60 or age 70?
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How does CPP disability change at age 65?
Do not miss this year’s EI/CPP Conference!
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For any questions or changes to your local’s registration, please email Nasra Mussa at
nasra.mussa@unifor.org or registration@unifor.org
Workshop Selection Form Complete the attached workshop form and fax or email to: Nasra Mussa at (416) 495-3785 nasra.mussa@unifor.org
Online Registration (NEW)
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Login information has been sent directly to Local Presidents with online registration instructions. If you are a Local President and have not received your online registration, please contact registration@unifor.org
To register delegates, visit https://register1.unifor.org
The registration deadline is Friday, September 2, 2022.
Registration for the EI/CPP Education Conference will be online.
Login informationFor any questions or changes to your local’s registration, please email Nasra Mussa at nasra.mussa@unifor.org or registration@unifor.org
Workshop Selection Form
Complete the attached workshop form and fax or email to: Nasra Mussa at (416) 495-3785 nasra.mussa@unifor.org
Unifor Family Education Centre, Port Elgin
September 11 to September 14, 2022
It is with great excitement that I invite you to our 2022 National Women’s Conference! It is hard to believe that it has been four years since the women of our union last gathered at the Family Education Centre in Port Elgin.
The pandemic has dramatically changed the way Unifor women view our work, our communities and our lives. As we have struggled and coped through these uncertain times, many of us have reimagined our work, refocused on our priorities and realized just how strong we can be.
Women are fighting for our union, for equality, and for political, economic and social justice. Every day, every week and every year to come, our actions are building a more fair and equal world. Together, we are building a movement.
And Sisters, there is much work to be done. as we celebrate the achievements of securing a National Child Care Program and Federal Pay Equity legislation after decades of campaigning, we know that our work matters and makes a real impact on the lives of every Canadian. These victories have proven to ourselves and all who celebrate with us, that we are unstoppable.
This year’s theme, Feminists at Work: We are Unstoppable, reflects on the work we have done and looks forward to the critical work needed to tackle our next big hurdles. Post-Covid, our union’s slogan has been “Build Back Better”, but what does that mean for our lives as women? We will be exploring what that looks like for Unifor Women. We will be learning more about the Care Economy and Climate Justice along with understanding the work of Unifor women within our union and building the strength of our Women’s Committees. We have an exciting agenda that will reinvigorate our courage and determination to push forward collectively.Sisters, this conference will be a chance for us all to recharge and soak up the sisterhood as we prepare for the work ahead of us. We will share stories together, celebrate our achievements and mobilize for the future.
The 2022 Unifor Women’s Conference will be held at the Unifor Family Education Centre in Port Elgin, Ontario commencing Sunday, September 11th at 7:00 pm and concluding on Wednesday, September 14th at noon. Conference registration is on Sunday from 3:00 pm - 6:00 pm and room check-in begins at 3:00 pm. New delegate orientation will be held from 4:00 pm to 5:00 pm in the Sisterhood room.
As always, this conference fills up quickly. Please submit your registrations early to avoid disappointment.
Please contact the Women’s Department at 1-800-268-5763 ext. 8485, or women@unifor.org if you require additional information.
We are looking forward to a great conference.
In sisterhood
Tracey Ramsey
Director, Women’s Department
Unifor
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