CUPE Ontario 2025 Spring School Conference Registration Page

Spots remaining: 6

6 days workshop: Tue. 1pm – 5pm | Wed. 9am – 5pm | Thur. 9am – 5pm | Fri. 9am – 5pm | Sat. 9am – 5pm | Sun. 9:30pm – 12:30pm

• LET – Duty of Fair Representation

Learn about your local’s duty to represent the members in your union, the legal requirements of fair representation and how it applies to your collective agreement and other laws covering your workplace.

• Leadership Essentials

Who am I as a leader? Who are we as a local union? How do we fit into the broader movement? Learn how to use the power of your elected position to build power and strengthen solidarity in the union, in the labour movement and in our communities.

• Leading as a Team

Who am I as a leader? Who are we as a local union? How do we fit into the broader movement? Learn how to use the power of your elected position to build power and strengthen solidarity in the union, in the labour movement and in our communities.

• Essentials for Inclusive Unions

As activists in our unions, we often ask why members are not more involved. This workshop asks a different question: Who is involved and who isn’t and what might be some reasons why? How might our unconscious biases contribute to this? How can we represent members in a way that invites those on the margins to get involved and to see the union as place where they want to make a difference?

• Good Meetings

Have you ever sat through a meeting, either as a participant or a facilitator that you knew could be more focused, efficient, inclusive, or effective? We use Bourniot’s rules of parliamentary procedure to make important decisions in a way that is fair. But sometimes a different kind of conversation is needed to be inclusive and build our movement. In this workshop, executive members learn a how to find and lead the right process for the work that needs to get done.

Parliamentary procedure is an important part of our democratic process in CUPE. Some conversations are better had using other approaches. How do you decide when parli-pro is needed and when another approach could help?

Build your facilitation skills for supporting effective and inclusive discussions, learn and practice some processes that you can use in your day to day work.

• Conflict Ready Executives

In this workshop, participants will explore:

• The value of conflict for effective group
• How our beliefs about conflict shape how we respond.
• The kinds of conflict executives struggle with
• Productive ways to resolve conflict on an executive.

Spots remaining: 8

6-day workshop: Tue. 1pm – 5pm | Wed. 9am – 5pm | Thur. 9am – 5pm | Fri. 9am – 5pm | Sat. 9am – 5pm | Sun. 9:30pm – 12:30pm

NOTE: Levels I and II and either Level III-Appeals or Return to Work are pre-requisites to taking the Medical Orientation.

This is a comprehensive program designed to break down the barrier of communicating in “medicalese”. It will enable participants to understand the contents of medical reports and apply them to resolve entitlement issues for injured workers. Actual medical reports will be used throughout the course. Medical terminology is broken down into understandable terms with a series of simple explanations of exercises. Participants will learn about basic human anatomy, body functions and systems, and will focus on areas that are common to WSIB advocacy. Specific work-related injuries will be discussed with an in-depth look at occupational diseases and how to prove a casual relationship. The health care profession will be demystified along with an insight into diagnostic testing and surgical procedures. Participants will also gain practical experience in calculating various pensions contained in the Act. The basics of ergonomics will also be touched upon in this course.

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5-day workshop: Wed. 9am – 5pm | Thur. 9am – 5pm | Fri. 9am – 5pm | Sat. 9am – 5pm | Sun. 9:30pm – 12:30pm

This course embraces an entire gamut of health and safety issues by focusing on hazard recognition and the rights and responsibilities of the workplace parties, as prescribed by existing legislation. This 30-hour key program consists of 10 modules which include seven core modules that identify the respective roles of the workplace parties – management, government and labour regarding health and safety; explains current health and safety legislation, provincial or federal; discusses how the body functions and the damaging effects hazards have on it; features carcinogens, and how to recognize them and toxic substances, as well as their sources; explains the effectiveness, or lack of, the three basic principles of control – at the source, along the path, and at the worker; and identifies the hazards presented by excessive workplace noise, and tells how to measure workplace noise and how to develop a noise abatement program. Level I is a certificate program and the prerequisite for entering Level II programs and Instructor Training. This training is not for Certification, ie: Joint Health and Safety Committees who are mandated under Bill 208.

There may also be evening course work which you will be required to attend.

Spots remaining: 4

5-day workshop: Wed. 9am – 5pm | Thur. 9am – 5pm | Fri. 9am – 5pm | Sat. 9am – 5pm | Sun. 9:30pm – 12:30pm

NOTE: WHSC Occupational Health & Safety Level 1 is a prerequisite

The Level II Committees program is an advanced training for worker members of the joint health and safety committees in Ontario. It provides them with the necessary skills to make them more effective, such as communication skills, consensus building, conflict resolution, problem solving, goal setting, and presentation skills. Participants learn how to conduct a joint health and safety committee meeting. They acquire skills in how to do an assessment, research a hazard, and evaluate a scientific study. They gain knowledge of accident and disease investigation steps.

 

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3-day workshop: Fri. 1pm – 5pm | Sat. 9am – 5pm | Sun. 9:30pm – 12:30pm

This first level is designed to provide basic knowledge of the workers’ compensation system. This level is directed at workers who need or desire a basic understanding of this sometimes, complex system. Participants will be provided a history of workers’ compensation as well as an understanding of the bureaucracy and some of the benefits and services available. Hands-on experience and completing Board forms are also included, as well as help in finding out how to access an experienced representative.

Spots remaining: 3

3-day workshop: Fri. 1pm – 5pm | Sat. 9am – 5pm | Sun. 9:30pm – 12:30pm

**NOTE: WSIB Level 1 is a prerequisite**

The second level is designed to provide workers with the skills and knowledge to represent injured workers in the initial steps of a worker’s claim. This level is designed to build on the knowledge attained in Level I and is directed at workers who will become active as worker representatives. Benefits and services for injured workers will be detailed, including changes as a result of Bill 162, Bill 165 and Bill 99. The course will take an in-depth look at services and benefits available under the Act. Participants will learn how to examine claim files and master the art of communication with physicians and Board staff. These skills will enable representatives to cut through the “red tape” that traditionally slows the decision-making process. The Board’s new “Integrated Appeal System” will be explained as well as the new Mediation Services.

Spots remaining: 6

3-day workshop: Fri. 1pm – 5pm | Sat. 9am – 5pm | Sun. 9:30pm – 12:30pm

Financial Essentials

This workshop is for all members in an elected position within the local union. Whether you are a trustee or a member of the executive, learning about the basics of the local union’s finances is a priority. In this workshop, you will learn about your duties regarding the finances of the union, budgeting and how to be transparent and accountable to members.

Financial Officers

Once secretary-treasurers and trustees complete the “Financial Essentials” Day 1 workshop, they will spend Day 2 learning about bookkeeping and auditing. Treasurers will learn how to use the CUPE electronic ledger, manage the local union’s funds and accounts, and prepare reports to the membership and the trustees. Trustees will learn how to properly perform an audit of the local union’s books, accounts, properties, and assets. At the end of this workshop, Trustees will be able to make recommendations to the local union to improve the local union’s financial health.

Laptop required – if possible