On this page, you will find information for current educational opportunities with SEIU-West.
Click on a course below to get a description or print the course descriptions.
Please note: we do not post every upcoming course on this page due to course prerequisites (i.e. some courses are designed for Shop Stewards only).
If you would like to be a Shop Steward, please contact your Unit Chair and Union Representative, or use the contact form.
News & Events
Bob Desjarlais Memorial Scholarship
It is with mixed emotions that we announce our new scholarship, the Bob Desjarlais Memorial Scholarship. This is a bittersweet moment for all of us.
The scholarship will be an annual $750 prize for SEIU-West members, in addition to the ongoing ten scholarships for members and ten scholarships for children of members.
This scholarship is intended to honor the characteristics that we miss so much about our Staff Rep, Negotiator, and friend, Bob Desjarlais. The successful applicant will be someone who has their co-workers' backs, dedicates their time to fellow union members by being an ally, supports, encourages and defends…in other words, someone who embodies the definition of solidarity.
Applicants must be pursuing an educational program deemed acceptable by the SEIU-West Scholarship Committee. In order to qualify, please read about who Bob was and then send the SEIU-West Education Committee an email, care of Alicia Zerr, describing how you, or someone you wish to nominate, supports your/their co-workers to make the workplace and community a better place. Please include the funniest clean joke you know. Bob was a funny guy. Please also fill out this form.
Alternatively, you can send a fax to our Saskatoon location @ 1-877-221-2212. Deadline to apply is November 15th, 2021.
Unionism 101 - 2021
Unionism 101 is designed for any member who has not taken any other union training. The course will touch on the basics of unions from where dues go to how members stay current on union activities – an introduction to the virtual bulletin board will be included. Deadline for Applications: April 7, 2021
Occupational Health and Safety - From Knowledge to Action
Exciting one day course offered April 12 - 15, 2021
Apply to the SFL Prairie School for Union Women (PSUW)!
The Education Committee will be sponsoring up to six (6) delegates to attend the SFL Prairie School for Union Women in Waskesiu Lake, Saskatchewan from June 7-11, 2020. We will cover registration costs, lost wages, and meal expenses for those meals not provided at the school. For Saskatoon and area women (or those delegates that will be travelling through Saskatoon) there will be a chartered bus provided. Delegates from other areas of the province will be notified regarding car-pooling arrangements and in those cases, travel expenses will be covered.
Anyone interested in attending this school is asked to:
- Complete the online registration form here OR
- Complete this pdf SEIU-West Expression of Interest Application form
- Review the brochure for course selection here
Your completed Expression of Interest form must be received in our office on or before, April 2, 2020 in order to allow us to complete the registration and selection process. Unfortunately, if you have attended this school in the last 3 years, your application will not be considered unless there are extra spots due to low entries.
Forward your completed pdf forms to:
Colleen Denniss, Chair, Education Committee
#200 – 747 46th Street W., Saskatoon, SK S7L 6A1
Fax: 306-652-1392
Email: [email protected]
Delegates attending the school will be asked to submit a brief report to the SEIU-West Executive Board through the Education Committee Chairs following the completion of the event. Thank you in advance for your cooperation in this regard.
Unionism 101: Apply Now!
Unionism 101 is designed for any member who has not taken any other union training. The course will touch on the basics of unions from where dues go to how members stay current on union activities – an introduction to the virtual bulletin board will be included. There will be a component that connects union principles with inclusivity and support for diversity. Social media, political action, social justice and collective bargaining will also be included. It is a beginner course for rank and file members who are not already Shop Stewards or Unit Officers. The goal is to reach everyday members and create an understanding of SEIU-West and what makes our union special. Apply now!
SEIU-West will cover the costs of 20 participants per session who will be selected with the goal of wide representation from all Units within our SEIU-West membership. Expenses will be reimbursed to a maximum of one day lost wages, as well as mileage.
Apply online by clicking the links below:
- Saskatoon - April 1, 2020 - online application
- Moose Jaw - April 6, 2020 - online application
- Swift Current - April 7, 2020 - online application
You can also register by mail or fax by clicking the pdf's below:
YOU MUST REGISTER BY February 27th - deadline extended for Moose Jaw and Swift Current! You now have until March 2, 2020. After the deadline, be notified whether you’re accepted to attend in order to book union leave.
OH&S: From Knowledge to Action One Day Workshop - Apply Now!
Are you a SEIU-West worker representative on your Occupational Health Committee (OHC)? If so, apply now! This one-day course is designed for SEIU-West OHC members and alternates. The participants will leave with a better understanding of their role on the OHC and will be prepared to address issues such as workload, stress, harassment and mental health at the OHC level.
SEIU-West will cover the costs of 20 participants per session on a first come, first serve basis so be sure to register early! Expenses will be reimbursed to a maximum of one day lost wages, as well as mileage.
Apply online by clicking the links below:
- Moose Jaw - March 17, 2020 - online application
- Swift Current - March 18, 2020 - online application
- Saskatoon - March 19, 2020 - online application
You can also register by mail or fax by clicking the pdf's below:
YOU MUST REGISTER BY FEBRUARY 12TH and you’ll be notified whether you’re accepted to attend in order to book union leave.
Call to Annual General Meeting of the Saskatoon & District Labour Council
The 61st Annual General Meeting of the Saskatoon and District Labour Council will be held at the Heritage Inn, 102 Cardinal Crescent, on February 7 and 8, 2020.
SEIU-West is sponsoring up to four people to attend; to register for a chance to attend, fill out an Expression of Interest. Members have until January 30, 2020 to apply.
We are inviting interested members to submit an EOI. You can submit online or by downloading the printable PDF file of the EOI and sending it in as described.
Come join us in celebration!
AGENDA
February 7, 2020
Registration ...........................................................................................................................................5:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Meeting....................................................................................................................................................6.00 pm - 7:00 pm
Labour Community Achievement Award Banquet and Social.......................................7:30 pm
February 8, 2020
Registration...................................................................................8:30 am
AGM..................................................................................................9:00 am - 4:00 pm
Apply to the CLC/SFL 2020 Spring School!
Apply to attend the 2020 CLC/SFL Spring School being held April 20th – 24th at Temple Gardens in Moose Jaw! The Education Committee will be sponsoring up to 6 delegates to attend. They will cover registration costs, lost wages, travel costs and meal expenses for those who are selected to attend.
Anyone interested in attending this school is asked to complete the SEIU-West Expression of Interest Application form either online or with our paper form.
Your completed Expression of Interest form must be received in our office on or before March 20, 2020 in order to allow us to complete the registration and selection process. In this brochure, you can determine what courses interest you most.
Forward your completed form to:
Colleen Denniss, Chair, Education Committee at #200 – 747 46th Street W, Saskatoon, SK S7L 6A1 or fax: 306-652-1392 or by email at [email protected]
Once delegates are chosen we will complete an online registration.
Delegates attending the school must submit a brief report to the SEIU-West Executive Board through the Education Committee Chair following the completion of the event. Thank you in advance for your cooperation in this regard.
Related Documents:
Apply to Become a SEIU-West Facilitator!
SEIU-West is in the process of recruiting up to seven facilitators for our internal membership training programs. The successful applicants will excel in communication and leadership skills, and will gain valuable knowledge around their union’s practices and the greater labour movement. Are you outgoing, friendly, approachable, and energetic? If so, this facilitator training opportunity may be for you!
The facilitator training is a four day workshop that will provide sessions on popular education, active listening, class/group dynamics, diffusing situations, and how to deliver education in a fun and interactive way. The facilitation skills you’ll learn will create confidence amongst participants. Most importantly, this confidence will help strengthen the necessary skills to spark action on issues that matter to workers.
The facilitator course will run from February 18-21 at the Saskatoon Office – 747 46th Street West. Applicants must be available to attend all four days of training as well as one evening session on the 19th.
As per our usual practice, your union will cover travel, hotel, and meal expenses. You will also be reimbursed for lost wages or will be provided with an honorarium for your attendance on days not scheduled to work.
Applicants will need to fill out the Facilitator Training Expression of Interest Form and Registration Form and submit them to Catherine Gendron by email at [email protected] or by fax at 306-652-1392. You can apply online or apply via paper. The deadline for applications is November 24, 2019.
Related documents (downloadable PDF format):
EOI/Registration Form - online application
EOI/Registration Form - pdf application
SALPN Professional Development Day: Apply to have your Registration Costs Covered!
The SALPN 2019 Professional Development Day is being held at Prairieland Park in Saskatoon on October 23, 2019. Please visit this link to find added information. The Education Committee is pleased to sponsor the registration fees for up to fifteen (15) delegates to attend. We will only cover registration costs, and not lost wages, travel costs, and expenses for those members who are selected.
If you are an SEIU-West member working in a LPN classification and you are interested in attending this conference we ask you to:
- Complete this SEIU-West Expression of Interest Application form
- If you are selected, you must send receipt of your registration and a copy of your CEP certificate that will be sent to you following the training
Your completed Expression of Interest (EOI) form must be received in our office on or before September 25, 2019.
Please forward your completed EOI form to:
Colleen Denniss & Brenda Coben, Co-Chairs, Education Committee
#200 – 747 46th Street W, Saskatoon, SK S7L 6A1
Fax: 306-652-1392
Those selected must be a dues paying member in good standing and are required to submit a brief report to the SEIU-West Executive Board through the Education Committee Chairs following the completion of the event. Thank you in advance for your cooperation in this regard.
Unionism in Practice: Online Application
Unionism in Practice is designed for any steward or unit officer who has completed a minimum of Shop Steward – Level 1. This one day course to be held in October in Moose Jaw, Saskatoon, and Swift Current will provide sessions on Union principles and tips for meeting with management and grievance handling. We are also providing a session on healthy workplaces and mental health issues in the work place.
The deadline to apply has passed.