EOI: CLC/SFL Spring School
The Education Committee will be sponsoring up to 4 delegates to attend the 2023 CLC/SFL Spring School being held April 2nd - 6th at Temple Gardens and Spa Hotel in Moose Jaw!
On this page, you will find information for current educational opportunities with SEIU-West.
There are several streams of education. There are courses that are open to all members, courses that are for Unit Executive, courses that are for Shop Stewards and a course for Occupational Health and Safety Committee members.
We start the application process 6-8 weeks in advance of the course. This allows us to book a space for the course, schedule facilitators, book necessary hotel rooms and catering based on dietary restrictions and prepare materials, as well as send out a confirmation email to members that have been accepted to attend to allow time for them to book union leave and arrange to attend the course.
Courses that are open to all members:
- Activist Training Camp
- Cultural Diversity and Inclusion
- Turtle Island
- Unionism 101
- Unionism In Practice
How can you apply?
Watch out on FB, our website and in weekly emails for information on how and when to apply. We will advertise these courses. Don’t get weekly emails? Sign up here.
Courses that are open to Shop Stewards only:
- Anti-Harassment and Workplace Bullying Workshop
- Complete Stewards in Action Training OR Stewards in Action Level I and Stewards in Action Level II
- Duty to Accommodate/Attendance Management Training
- Facing Management Level II
- Technical Course Level I Investigations and Progressive Discipline
- Technical Course Level II Investigations & Grievance Process
- Technical Course Level III Investigations and Formal Documentation
How can you become a Shop Steward and represent members in meetings?
Talk to your Unit Chair or Staff Rep. There is a vetting process that looks at if you’re someone who would be a good fit as a steward, would maintain confidentiality and there is a clear need for more stewards at your workplace. Don’t know how to contact your Unit Chair or Staff Rep? If you call or email the Member Resource Centre, they can pass along your expression of interest. Alternatively, you can use the contact form. Once approved, you will automatically be invited to courses that you are eligible for. Watch your emails.
Courses that are open to Unit Executive:
- Unit Leadership – Building Strength and Solidarity
- Advanced Leadership Development
- All of the courses open to Shop Stewards are also offered to Unit Executive.
How can you become a unit executive?
Unit Executive (Chair, Vice-Chair and Communicator) are elected at a unit meeting every four years for a term. Terms run from the end of 2019-2023, end of 2023-2027, end of 2027-2031 and so on. Unit Executives are automatically eligible for Steward training and considered Shop Stewards once trained.
Courses that are open to Occupational Health and Safety Committee Members
How can you join your Occupational Health and Safety Committee?
These are three-year terms that are elected at unit meetings. Talk to your Unit Executive to see when the next vacancy opens up at your workplace.
We also partner with Canadian Labour Congress to provide training to be able to respond to members who may be experiencing domestic violence.
This course is open to stewards, health and safety representatives, member education facilitators, or staff.
Click on a course below to get a description or print the course descriptions.
Please note: we do not post upcoming courses on this page due to course prerequisites (i.e. some courses are designed for Shop Stewards only).
News & Events
EOI: CLC/
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, yearly.
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
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