in their workplace. The course will cover public speaking, how meetings are run, how to read your contract, grievance handling, and the basic collective bargaining process. Participants are requested to bring a copy of their collective agreement. There is a scholarship available from Community Savings Credit Union for this course. Interested applicants should contact Community Savings or download the scholarship…

Participants will leave with a solid understanding of the bargaining process and the factors that affect collective bargaining. This course also introduces some of the laws and rules that structure the bargaining process and provides opportunities for hands-on practice and skills development in preparing for and negotiating parts of a collective agreement. Level 1 is aimed at new bargaining committee…

This course will look at economic, political, social forces at play between union and management. It will examine the roles and rights of each group and the different types of union/management relationships and styles. We will look at the power, bias, and privilege dynamics between union and management and how we can communicate effectively. We will focus on problem solving…

Workplace bullying and harassment can compromise the mental and physical health of workers. To address this health and safety issue, this course will equip participants with the knowledge and confidence to undertake thorough and impartial investigations into allegations of workplace bullying and harassment as defined in health and safety law and policy. Participants’ skills will be developed and practised through…

This introductory Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S) course will introduce committee members and worker representatives to the basic principles of workplace health and safety. This also serves as a great ‘Back to Basics’ course for those OH&S committee members who desire refresher training. In this course, participants will learn the responsibilities and duties of the Joint OH&S Committee, OH&S legislation…

The labour movement has always played a strong role in the social change movement. As part of the United Way and CLC Labour Community Advocate Program, the course provides training on community involvement and working with community partners as a board, committee or coalition partner. Participants learn how to organize around and participate in community social service issues, while exploring…

This course will help you understand how health and welfare benefits are structured and how to prepare for benefits bargaining. The course will include information on new and renewed benefit plans and how to handle a change in benefits carriers. Topics for discussion will include: costing of benefits, employers’ response to increasing costs and changes in coverages, funding methods including…

The BCFED Organizing Institute training covers the basics of union organizing to build power within our unions, and to organize new workers into unions. This is an opportunity to learn and practise leading effective organizing conversations with peers and experienced organizers from across our movement. We cover the elements of an organizing campaign, and the provincial and federal labour codes…

After our successful launch at the 2019 CLC Winter School, the 2020 BCGEU Organizing Academy will bring together workplace-based teams of stewards, activists, and staff to develop comprehensive internal organizing plans. Part rigorous boot camp, part experiential workshop, the Organizing Academy is a deep dive into the practical skills and methods of building worker power!

Responsibility for bullying in the workplace is shared between workers, the employer, and the union. This course will explore different approaches and tools to address bullying in the workplace, from education programs, legislation, workplace policies and procedure, grievances, and other means within the collective agreement language like labour management committees. The course will also explore the relationship and differences between…

The Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training course was developed by the Mental Health Commission of Canada to help people provide initial support to someone who may be developing a mental health problem or experiencing a mental health crisis. MHFA teaches mental health first aid skills. The course does not train people to be therapists, counsellors, or mental health professionals.…

This course presents an overview of provincial labour legislation and its impact on the strategies and actions of unions. Among topics to be explored are: certification and dispute settlement procedures; unfair labour practices; the duty to bargain in good faith; strikes, lockouts, and picketing; the duty of fair representation; management and union rights; and grievance arbitration law. Students who take…

A Path to Reconciliation: Standing in Solidarity with Indigenous Peoples. This course is for all workers, including non-indigenous activists, to learn the history of Indigenous peoples of Turtle Island (North America) facilitated by indigenous labour activists. Its purpose is to build meaningful, long-term relationships among Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples inside and outside of our workplaces, with the aim of acknowledging…

This course presents an overview of the federal labour legislation and its impact on the strategies and actions of unions. Among the topics to be explored are: certification and dispute settlement procedures; unfair labour practices; the duty to bargain in good faith; strikes, lockouts, and picketing; the duty of fair representation; management and union rights; and grievance arbitration law. Students…

This course will look at economic, political, social forces at play between union and management. It will examine the roles and rights of each group and the different types of union/management relationships and styles. We will look at the power, bias, and privilege dynamics between union and management and how we can communicate effectively. We will focus on problem solving…

Workplace bullying and harassment can compromise the mental and physical health of workers. To address this health and safety issue, this course will equip participants with the knowledge and confidence to undertake thorough and impartial investigations into allegations of workplace bullying and harassment as defined in health and safety law and policy. Participants’ skills will be developed and practised through…

This course is designed to introduce participants to the practical skills required to prepare and present a case at an arbitration hearing. Special emphasis is placed on evidence, examination and cross-examination, the opening statement and final argument. You will also discuss current trends and cases dealing with the arbitration process. This course would be useful for grievance committee members or…

As a follow-up course to Labour Arbitration Level 1, this course has an emphasis on necessary verbal and procedural skills. It deals primarily with the conduct of the hearing for example, with the rules of evidence, examination-in-chief, and cross-examination. Prerequisite: Labour Arbitration Level 1 or arbitration experience.

The Labour Community Advocate (formerly Union Counselling) Program is a Canadian Labour Congress training program delivered by Labour Programs and Services staff and funded through the United Way Centraide. This program provides participants with information about the social issues faced by working people and the resources available in their community. Participants are trained in communication skills, interviewing and referral techniques…

This is a two-part course. Parliamentary Procedure covers how to run a meeting effectively, the duties of a chairperson and secretary, and how the rules of order can provide a democratic and fair process to get the business of the union accomplished. Public Speaking covers how to speak persuasively to various groups and how different formats are used to speak…

The steward is often the main point of contact between the union, its members, management, and the larger labour movement. This course builds the skills, confidence, and knowledge a steward needs to represent their members. Participants will learn the roles and responsibilities of their position as stewards, the handling of grievances and complaints, problem solving skills, protecting contractual provisions in…

This course is for chief stewards, business and assistant business managers, local officers, and stewards with considerable experience handling grievances. You will practise more advanced grievance-handling skills using real life case studies and role-plays. Participants will discuss discipline grievances, harassment, drug and alcohol issues, and different styles of management. This course will deal with procedures before the process of arbitration.…

Participants will learn the law with respect to duty of fair representation obligations, as well as the standard arbitral legal tests in relation to discipline, contract interpretation, and evidence. There will also be a legal research component, which will focus on locating the law and conducting efficient legal research. Participants will present an overview of a grievance with recommendations on…

Bring a copy of your collective agreement and a calculator as we work with different strategies and tactics for effectively facing today’s challenges at the bargaining table. How do we deal with workplace change – restructuring, automation, or new technology? What language best protects workers against unfairness in drug and alcohol testing or electronic monitoring? How do we prepare our…

This course will look at economic, political, social forces at play between union and management. It will examine the roles and rights of each group and the different types of union/management relationships and styles. We will look at the power, bias, and privilege dynamics between union and management and how we can communicate effectively. We will focus on problem solving…

The five-day ILWU Leadership course is part of a long-term education strategy to identify and educate leaders in our Union. The course will cover some of the basics which include: ILWU history and structure of our union, public speaking, building blocks of a meeting, arbitration, ethics and strategies for building worker power from within our Union. Prerequisite: Applicants must be…

This course is designed for experienced shop stewards, local union leaders and union staff who want to transform how members engage with their union and how their union engages with members. This course will train participants on the three-step approach to effective member engagement (Go, Listen, Build) and connect it to a three-step approach for building an active membership (one-on-one…

The Health & Safety Level 2 course has been designed to empower participants to develop the tools, resources, and strategies necessary to build on successes and to tackle the tough OH&S issues at their workplaces. In this course, participants will discuss barriers facing joint OH&S committees and develop some creative strategies and solutions to deal with them. Learn about the…

All workers face health and safety issues at work – injuries and occupational disease, workplace hazards, and stress. Many of these issues have a gender dimension – they affect women’s bodies in particular ways. In this course, participants will discuss and learn how women’s health (including reproductive health) is affected by toxic workplace substances, by work and tools that are…

After our successful launch at the 2019 CLC Winter School, the 2020 BCGEU Organizing Academy will bring together workplace-based teams of stewards, activists, and staff to develop comprehensive internal organizing plans. Part rigorous boot camp, part experiential workshop, the Organizing Academy is a deep dive into the practical skills and methods of building worker power!

Current research confirms that mental health issues are prevalent in B.C. workplaces. Workers who experience mental health issues face incredible challenges in the workplace. Many are misunderstood, stigmatized, and under-utilized. From an organizational effectiveness and sustainability perspective, this is a significant business issue and one that requires attention. In a world where shortages of critical skills are, and will continue…

Participants will leave with a solid understanding of the bargaining process and the factors that affect collective bargaining. This course also introduces some of the laws and rules that structure the bargaining process and provides opportunities for hands-on practice and skills development in preparing for and negotiating parts of a collective agreement. Level 1 is aimed at new bargaining committee…

This course is intended to provide a broad framework in which to understand the economic forces that shape labour today, by examining the history of economics to illustrate important concepts and trends, while providing specific introductory information about basic economic theories, as well as a working understanding of investment methodology and modern implements such as the Consumer Price Index. The…

This course is designed to equip participants with tools and strategies for successful work reintegration outcomes. Participants will explore leading research and learn the principles of good work reintegration practices and the duty to accommodate. The course has a strong focus on the analysis and interpretation of human rights obligations and particularly the duty to accommodate. Barriers to successful work…

This course provides a review of the Workers Compensation Act, how the Board functions, procedures for filing claims, WCB policies for adjudicating claims, and the appeals process. This is a basic course and will interest those union members just starting to handle WCB claims and appeals. This class will observe a hearing presentation to a panel of the Review Division.

This course is for union members wanting to improve their WCB advocacy skills. Participants will assist an injured worker in a mock appeal where their injury has been denied by the WCB. The class will review how to seek a doctor’s opinion in support of the injured worker, how to question the worker at an appeal hearing, and how to…

Transforming Conflict into Union Activism approaches conflict in a novel way. It recognizes that conflict isn’t always negative but that it is the outcome of the conflict that is negative or positive. The course will teach participants how to listen to people involved in a conflict, get to the root causes of a conflict, and how to coach people involved…

This course offers union women an opportunity to develop and enhance their leadership skills and knowledge in a variety of current and emerging labour issues. A major component of this course will cover communication and motivational skills that are important for women activists.

This course will look at economic, political, social forces at play between union and management. It will examine the roles and rights of each group and the different types of union/management relationships and styles. We will look at the power, bias, and privilege dynamics between union and management and how we can communicate effectively. We will focus on problem solving…

This course is a good starting point for union activists and leaders looking to build their skills and perspectives to better engage and represent the diversity of their members. It is open to all union activists. Racism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia, and discrimination against people with disabilities are used to divide workers. Participants will focus on the role unions can play…

The Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training course was developed by the Mental Health Commission of Canada to help people provide initial support to someone who may be developing a mental health problem or experiencing a mental health crisis. MHFA teaches mental health first aid skills. The course does not train people to be therapists, counsellors, or mental health professionals.…

Participants will leave with a solid understanding of the bargaining process and the factors that affect collective bargaining. This course also introduces some of the laws and rules that structure the bargaining process and provides opportunities for hands-on practice and skills development in preparing for and negotiating parts of a collective agreement. Level 1 is aimed at new bargaining committee…

This course will look at economic, political, social forces at play between union and management. It will examine the roles and rights of each group and the different types of union/management relationships and styles. We will look at the power, bias, and privilege dynamics between union and management and how we can communicate effectively. We will focus on problem solving…

This course is designed to introduce participants to the practical skills required to prepare and present a case at an arbitration hearing. Special emphasis is placed on evidence, examination and cross-examination, the opening statement and final argument. You will also discuss current trends and cases dealing with the arbitration process. This course would be useful for grievance committee members or…

This is a two-part course. Parliamentary Procedure covers how to run a meeting effectively, the duties of a chairperson and secretary, and how the rules of order can provide a democratic and fair process to get the business of the union accomplished. Public Speaking covers how to speak persuasively to various groups and how different formats are used to speak…

The steward is often the main point of contact between the union, its members, management, and the larger labour movement. This course builds the skills, confidence, and knowledge a steward needs to represent their members. Participants will learn the roles and responsibilities of their position as stewards, the handling of grievances and complaints, problem solving skills, protecting contractual provisions in…

After our successful launch at the 2019 CLC Winter School, the 2020 BCGEU Organizing Academy will bring together workplace-based teams of stewards, activists, and staff to develop comprehensive internal organizing plans. Part rigorous boot camp, part experiential workshop, the Organizing Academy is a deep dive into the practical skills and methods of building worker power!

Current research confirms that mental health issues are prevalent in B.C. workplaces. Workers who experience mental health issues face incredible challenges in the workplace. Many are misunderstood, stigmatized, and under-utilized. From an organizational effectiveness and sustainability perspective, this is a significant business issue and one that requires attention. In a world where shortages of critical skills are, and will continue…