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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
Education PEL Schedule - Port Elgin
Spring / Summer 2023
To Register & for Information: pel@unifor.org
BC Education Schedule - Various Sites
Spring 2023
To Register & for Information: debbie.noseworthy@unifor.org
March 28-30
New Westminster, National Building, Health & Safety (3-day) – Beyond the Basics.
March 28-30
Victoria – Local 333-BC office (3-day) - Grievance Handling & Workplace Leadership.
April 4-6
Williams Lake - Local 3018 (3-day), - Grievance Handling & Workplace Leadership.
April 18-20
New Westminster National Building (3-day) - Grievance Handling & Workplace Leadership.
May 9 – 11
New Westminster National building (3-day) - Health & Safety – Beyond the Basics
June 13-15
New Westminster National building (3-day) - Grievance Handling & workplace Leadership.
Registration:
To register please email Debbie Noseworthy at Debbie.noseworthy@unifor.org with the member’s full name, personal email and mobile phone number ( all information is needed to register the members into our learning platform).
All these courses listed are eligible for 50/50 reimbursement from Unifor National. Please see the attached “Guidelines for Reimbursement” for all the details on how to request the reimbursement.
Education Inquires: Local Presidents please email Patty Barrera, Unifor National Representative, Education Department at patty.barrera@unifor.org