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- Where does Unifor offer education courses?
- What courses are offered in the areas?
- How do I find out what courses are available?
- How do members sign up for courses?
- How are courses funded?
- Can Locals also request courses outside of the regular schedule?
- Where does Unifor offer education courses?
The Unifor Education Department offers area courses in various locations across the country. These courses give our members the opportunity to meet others from Unifor workplaces in and around their local community. We also offer courses at our Education Centre in Port Elgin.
- What courses are offered in the areas?
Over 20 courses are offered in areas across the country. Courses range from Grievance Handling and Collective Bargaining to Building Activism, and range from one-day to three-days. A schedule of area courses is sent to locals twice a year.
- How do I find out what courses are available?
Information on courses, including schedules, is sent to Locals twice a year by e-mail and will be posted on our website. Locals wishing to receive area schedules by regular mail instead of e-mail should contact Bonnie Morgan in the Unifor Education Department at areacourses@unifor.org or 1-800-268-5763 ext. 8489.
- How do members sign up for courses?
All participants must register for courses through their Local. Locals forward registration forms to Bonnie Morgan in the Unifor Education Department at areacourses@unifor.org or by fax 416-495-6554.
- How are courses funded?
There are different funding models for one-day and three-day courses.
One-Day courses - One-day courses are most often convened during non-work times. The National Union pays for the meeting room, the materials and Discussion Leader. The National Union also provides lunch. No lost time is paid to the participant unless this has been previously arranged by the Local. A strong union is built through rank and file activism. It is hoped that members will contribute their time and interest in attending these courses. There is no registration fee. Locals receive a registration form that needs to be filled out and returned to the Education Department by the deadline.
Three-Day courses - The National Union will provide the meeting room, the materials and the Discussion Leader. The National and Local Union(s) will split of the cost of the lost time, travel and per diem within a set of guidelines that will be provided to the Local. Accommodations that have been pre-authorized through the Education Department will also be split 50/50 with the Local. There is no registration fee. Locals will receive a registration form to fill out with the list of attendees. This will be returned to Bonnie Morgan in the Unifor Education Department at areacourses@unifor.org or 416-495-6554 by the stated deadline.
- Can Locals also request courses outside of the regular schedule?
Yes, Locals who can guarantee at least 15 members can request any of the one- or three-day courses. Please note that during this transition time in the new union, we prefer that Locals send participants to the existing courses that area scheduled in their area. This will allow us to offer the greatest number of courses and will allow our members from different former unions to get to know each other.