Courses

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.

Advanced Leadership Development

Anti-Harassment and Workplace Bullying

Complete Stewards in Action Training

Cultural Diversity and Inclusion

Domestic Violence at Work Training

Duty to Accommodate (DTA)/Attendance Management Training

(the level 1 course is retired)

Occupational Health & Safety- Knowledge to Action

Unit Leadership - Building Strength and Solidarity

Activist Training Camp

The goal of this one day course is for participants to learn, understand and engage on:

Anti-oppression and building an inclusive front
Skills-share opportunities with other activists around the Union
Strategic thinking/planning about your activism
Activities to enhance your organizing, communication, and leadership skills

This course is designed for any member who is interested in expanding their activism in the social justice community.

Advanced Leadership Development

Objectives for this one day course are for participants to learn, understand and engage on:

The key practices of union building leadership
Possible barriers to leadership development
Modes of conflict
Teamwork and group dynamics
How to run an effective meeting
How to engage members
Different styles of leadership and how to apply them
How to choose the way to respond to conflict in any given situation
The importance of note taking and utilizing the Investigation Sheet throughout all
steps of the grievance.

This course is designed for Unit Executive Officers and Senior Shop Stewards.

Anti-Harassment and Workplace Bullying

Through participatory theater, participants will learn, understand and engage on:

The definitions of inappropriate behaviour that constitute harassment as defined in legislation
The difference between harassment and bullying
The effect of workplace bullying
The role of the Union in these situations
The importance of note taking throughout all steps of the Complaint process

*Note: We have partnered with several employers to offer this training on-site. Contact us if your employer is interested in this initiative.

This course is designed for Unit Executive Officers and Shop Stewards.

Complete Stewards in Action Training

Objectives for this three day course are for participants to learn, understand and be better prepared to fulfill their import role and includes:

Introduction to the structure and history of SEIU-West
The roles and responsibilities of the Shop Steward
How to handle grievances and complaints
How to represent members in meetings
How to identify concerns and grievances
Steps of the grievance process
The importance of note taking and utilizing the Investigation Sheet throughout all steps of the grievance
How to fill out the grievance report
Meeting with Management Tips and role plays
Practice with the collective agreement

This course is designed for any Unit Executive Officer or Shop Steward who represents members, meets with management on behalf of the Union.

Cultural Diversity and Inclusion

Objectives of this two day course are for participants to learn different aspects of diversity and how to engage a diverse workforce. Participants will:

Learn about the history of Immigration to Canada
Understand the needs of a changing workforce
Understand what it’s like to be a new Canadian
Learn different aspects of religions and cultures
Gain tools to create an inclusive work environment
Learn how to stand up against racism
Be aware of human rights legislation around cultural diversity

This course is designed for any Unit Executive Officer (Chair, Co-Chair, Vice-Chair or Communicator) who represents members, holds unit meetings, and engages members on behalf of the Union. We are hoping to expand offering this course to all Shop Stewards in the years to come.

Domestic Violence at Work Training

Objectives for this two-day course are for participants to learn, understand and be better prepared to address Domestic Violence at work. Participants will:

gain a deeper understanding of the dynamics of domestic violence at work and the role of the union and employer in addressing it;
learn ways to best support members who may be experiencing domestic violence, including how to recognize and respond to the warning signs and risk factors;
start the conversation to build awareness about domestic violence at work among your membership;
develop strategies that build support for collective bargaining and legislative initiatives;
Learn about referrals and pathways to community resources.

This course is designed to train union representatives in our workplaces to be able to respond
to members who may be experiencing domestic violence. This may include stewards, health
and safety representatives, member education facilitators, or staff.

Duty to Accommodate (DTA)/Attendance Management Training

Objectives for this one day course are for participants to learn, understand and engage on:

The role of the steward in the DTA process and Attendance Support Programs
The tools necessary to provide Union Representation to members
The importance of note taking and utilizing the form throughout all steps of the Attendance Management process.

This course is designed for any active Unit Executive Officer or Shop Steward who has taken
Stewards in Action Level I or Complete Stewards in Action Training.

Facing Management Level II

(the level 1 course is retired)

Objectives for this one day course are for participants to learn, understand and engage on:

Strategies for meeting with management
How to represent members at investigation/disciplinary meetings.
The importance of record-keeping, proper investigations, note-taking, grievance reports and utilizing the Investigation Sheet throughout all steps of the grievance

Facing Management Level II is designed for any active Unit Executive Officer or Shop Steward
who has taken Stewards in Action Level I or Complete Stewards in Action Training.

Occupational Health & Safety- Knowledge to Action

Objectives for this one-day course are for participants to learn, understand and engage on Workplace Health and Safety. Participants will leave with a better understanding of their role on the OHC and will be prepared to address issues at the OH&S Committee level such as:

Workload pressure
Stress in the workplace
Harassment and Bullying
Mental Health
The Right to Refuse
Best practices for effective OH&S Committees

This course is designed for SEIU-West Occupational Health Committee (OHC) members and alternates.

Stewards in Action | Level I

Objectives for this two-day course are for participants to learn, understand and be better prepared to fulfill their import role and includes:

The roles and responsibilities of the Shop Steward
How to handle grievances and complaints
How to represent members in meetings and meeting with management tips
How to identify concerns and grievances
Steps of the grievance process and how to fill out the grievance report
The importance of note-taking and utilizing the Investigation Sheet throughout all
steps of the grievance
Communication strategies with members on Union issues
Practice with the collective agreement

This course is designed for any Unit Executive Officer or Shop Steward who represents
members, meets with management on behalf of the Union.

Stewards in Action | Level II

The Next Step

Objectives for this one day course are for participants to learn, understand and engage on:

The roles and responsibilities of the Shop Steward
How to handle grievances and complaints
The steps of the grievance process
How to write a grievance report.
The importance of note-taking and utilizing the Investigation Sheet throughout all steps of the grievance

This one-day course is designed for any Unit Executive Officer or Shop Steward who represent members, meet with management on behalf of the Union, and have previously taken the Stewards in Action, Level I course.

Technical Course | Level I

Investigations and Progressive Discipline

Objectives for this one day course are for participants to learn, understand and engage on:

The expectations and responsibilities of the Steward’s role with respect to member representation and their interactions with the Member Resource Centre (MRC) and their Union Representative
The significance and technical requirements of a proper investigation and how that will either win or lose a grievance
The principles of Progressive Discipline
The importance of note taking and utilizing the Investigation Sheet throughout all steps of the grievance

This course is designed for Shop Stewards and Unit Executive Officers.

Technical Course | Level II

Investigations & Grievance Process

Objectives for this one day course are for participants through a comprehensive review of advanced case studies will learn, understand and engage on:

The expectations and responsibilities of the Steward’s role with respect to member representation
The complexities of the grievance process from step one through to arbitration
The significance and technical requirements of the Duty of Fair Representation
The importance of note taking and utilizing the Investigation Sheet throughout all steps of the grievance

This course is designed for Shop Stewards and Unit Executive Officers.

Technical Course | Level III

Investigations and Formal Documentation

Objectives for this one day course are for participants to learn, understand and engage on:

The steps to a successful investigation and the documentation that supports that success
Hands-on instruction in ‘what to do vs. what not to do’ in the use of the applicable documents
In-depth understanding of the link between documentation and investigations
Preparedness to investigate, record, and to advise members of the investigation and documentation process at the shop-floor level

This course is designed for Shop Stewards and Unit Executive Officers.

Turtle Island

Objectives for this two day course are for participants to learn, understand and engage on:

Indigenous history, spirituality, and societal injustices including the history and legacy of residential schools and the sixties scoop
Working in solidarity with First Nations, Métis and Inuit Brothers, Sisters and Siblings
Working in a comfortable and supportive environment in which to explore attitudes, ideas and questions
Treaties and aboriginal rights
The Truth and Reconciliation's 94 Calls to Action

This course is available to SEIU-West members, stewards, union leaders or activists.

Unionism 101

This new course is designed for any member who has not taken any other union training and objectives for this one day course are for participants to learn, understand and engage on:

The basics of unions
How to Connect with SEIU-West to stay current on union activities; the virtual bulletin board; social media
Union Myths and facts
SEIU-West structures
Opportunities to get involved
Union principles, Inclusiveness, Diversity

The goal is to reach everyday members and create an understanding of SEIU-West and what makes our union special.

This is a beginner course for rank and file members who are not already Shop Stewards or Unit Executive officers.

Unionism in Practice

Objectives for this one day course are for participants to learn, understand and engage on:

Understanding union principles
Learning grievance handling and strategies for meeting with management
Understanding and learning healthy workplaces and mental health issues
The importance of note-taking and utilizing the Investigation Sheet throughout all steps of the grievance

This course is designed for any Steward or Unit Executive Officer who has completed a
minimum of Stewards in Action – Level 1.

Unit Leadership - Building Strength and Solidarity

The goal of this one day course is for participants to learn, understand and engage on:

The role of each of the Unit Officer positions and how to work as a team
The structure of SEIU-West and the organizational chart
Communications strategies including social media
Skills for facing management and the importance
The importance of note-taking and utilizing the Investigation Sheet throughout all steps of the grievance

This course is designed for newly elected Unit Executive Officers

News & Events

November 9, 2022

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 and return it to an SEIU-West office, or complete the form online.

Alternatively, you can send a fax to our Saskatoon location @ 1-877-221-2212. Deadline to apply is November 15th, 2021.

August 16, 2022

Apply now! Activist Training Camp 2022

The SEIU-West Education Department is pleased to invite members to apply for the Activist Training Workshop, happening both in-person and online.

The course will take place on:

September 20 in Sasktoon
September 22 in Swift Current
September 23 online

2022 Turtle Island

March 24, 2021

Unionism 101 - 2021

March 12, 2021

Occupational Health and Safety - From Knowledge to Action

Exciting one day course offered April 12 - 15, 2021

February 12, 2020

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 46^th 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.

February 6, 2020

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:

Moose Jaw registration pdf form
Sasktoon registration pdf form
Swift Current registration pdf form

YOU MUST REGISTER BY February 27^th - 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.

January 31, 2020

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:

Moose Jaw registration pdf form
Swift Current registration pdf form
Sasktoon registration pdf form

YOU MUST REGISTER BY FEBRUARY 12^TH and you’ll be notified whether you’re accepted to attend in order to book union leave.

January 24, 2020

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

January 15, 2020

Apply to the CLC/SFL 2020 Spring School!

Apply to attend the 2020 CLC/SFL Spring School being held April 20^th – 24^th 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 46^th 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:

2020 CLC/SFL Spring School Brochure
Online Registration Form
PDF Registration Form

October 28, 2019

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 19^th.

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

Poster

September 4, 2019

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.

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