Here are some examples of courses we deliver. Some may be offered regularly, others periodically. Contact your regional office to request a particular course for your workplace or community and we’ll do what we can to accommodate the interest. Follow the link for more information on each course.
Basic Program
A well informed and active membership is fundamental to achieving our goals as a union. The basic program is designed for all members – the broader membership, new representatives and future leaders. It consists of shorter courses and learning activities that can be taken to where members live and work – in their communities and workplaces. It covers a range of topics related to current and emerging interests and issues. It provides members and new representatives with basic knowledge and skills. It includes workshops or courses of anywhere from one hour to two days.
Here are some examples of what we offer. Follow the link for more information on each.
Human Rights and Anti-Harassment
Understanding ADR (Alternate Dispute Resolution)
- Anti-Harassment
- Collective Bargaining: How It Works And How To Make It Work!
- Convention Procedures
- Duty to Accommodate
- Facilitating Skills: How to Design and Deliver a Workshop
- Grievance Handling
- Health and Safety Training
- Local Officers’ Training
- Strike Training
- Talking Union Basics
- Understanding and Interpreting the Collective Agreement
- Union Management Consultation
Advanced Program
If we are to meet our constitutional, legal, social and moral obligations, the union needs skilled, knowledgeable, committed and competent representatives. The advanced program helps new representatives and future leaders understand their roles and learn how to carry out their responsibilities effectively. It builds on the knowledge and skills developed through experience (and the basic program). It consists of courses of longer duration, normally three days or more. Prerequisites are needed – the TUB course (formerly BUS) and in many cases, a specific position as a union representative. A completed application form [pdf] is also required.
- Employment Equity
- Local Officers’ Advanced Training
- Political and Social Activism
- Representation Skills
Basic Program
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Anti-Harassment
This course clarifies what harassment is and examines roles and responsibilities under union and employer policies. You will look at ways to challenge harassment and resolve complaints, explore what to expect from an employer investigation, and examine the Duty of Fair Representation. By the end of the course, you will have a good working knowledge of anti-harassment policies and be able to help create harassment-free workplaces.
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Collective Bargaining: How It Works And How To Make It Work!
We have a collective agreement but how did it come about? This is for those who wonder about the “who”, “what”, “why”, “when”, “where” and “wants” of the process. Who is at the bargaining table? Why does it take so long? What is conciliation? Why do we need to take a strike vote? What happens at the expiry date of our collective agreement? These questions and more will be answered during this short primer on collective bargaining. But more importantly, we will look at ways individual members can be involved, and things our union locals can do to increase membership interest and participation in collective bargaining.
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Convention Procedures
This is a must for delegates (or prospective delegates) to a union convention. You will learn about the purpose of conventions; convention procedures such as elections, debate and using rules of order; role of convention committees and the voting procedures on committee reports. You will also practise your public speaking skills and getting your message across to other delegates.
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Duty to Accommodate
What is the Duty to Accommodate? What are the roles of employers, unions and individuals requesting accommodation? Should we wait for individual requests or are there things we should be doing that anticipate accommodation needs of workers? Is there legislation and case law we need to know about? What are some examples of measures we should be actively promoting at the workplace and within the union?
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Facilitating Skills: How to Design and Deliver a Workshop
You will learn about the differences between “presentation” and “facilitation” and how to apply various adult and popular education techniques in the design and delivery of an active and participatory workshop. You will examine what a facilitator can do to create a positive and respectful learning environment. You will practise identifying learning needs, drafting learning objectives, and designing participatory exercises. You will have the opportunity to practise your delivery skills by choosing from a range of options. This is an active and participatory workshop providing a host of ideas and materials for working with groups in the workplace, union and community.
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Grievance Handling
This training is a must for stewards and other workplace representatives, or members who want to solve problems at the workplace. You will find out what the law says about grievances, grievors and their representatives, and the protections built in for those who choose to use the grievance procedure to solve problems. You will develop grievance handling and problem solving skills through “hands-on” exercises on gathering facts and resources, analyzing a problem, drafting grievance wording, building a complete file, and presenting the case to the employer. You will work with case studies based on actual grievances, and in the process, improve your knowledge of case law.
Health and Safety Training
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Basic Health and Safety Awareness
This one day course is for health and safety activists and those who are concerned about health and safety issues and problems in the workplace. The course will cover the basics of the law and how you can improve health and safety in the workplace using the legal tools available. It is available upon request. Contact your PSAC Regional Office for assistance in delivering this training at your workplace.
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Environmental Illness Awareness
Do you know of someone who suffers from Environmental Illness? Do you have co-workers who suffer from Environmental Illness? If so, this one day course may be for you and your co-workers. You will have a better understanding of what causes Environmental Illness and what the law says about it, and you will work with a number of case studies to clarify certain myths about the illness. This training is available upon request. Contact your PSAC Regional Office for assistance in delivering this training at your workplace.
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Developing a Scent-Free Workplace Policy
As more and more workplaces are developing policies concerning scents, we have to be able to meet the demands of all workplaces, particularly in an office environment. We will discuss what we have learned about the effects scented products have on workers, and how to prepare a policy for your workplace. This one-day course is available upon request. Contact your PSAC Regional Office for assistance in delivering this training at your workplace.
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The Role of Joint Health and Safety Committees and Representatives
In today’s busy workplace, we often tend to take for granted what our other workplace responsibilities are. As committee members, your role is important for the health and safety of co-workers, and to ensure the law is upheld. This one-day session looks at your rights under the law, your legal responsibilities, and how to have a more effective committee in your workplace. It is designed for committee members who want a more effective workplace committee or a representative who wants to function more effectively. This training is available upon request. Contact your PSAC Regional Office for assistance in delivering this training at your workplace.
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Health & Safety: Canada Labour Code – Part II
Are you and your committee adhering to the Canada Labour Code Part II? In this one-day workshop, we will review the legislation and what it says about committees, employer responsibilities, worker responsibilities, workplace policies and the definition of “danger”. This training is available upon request. Contact your PSAC Regional Office for assistance in delivering this training at your workplace.[top]
Human Rights and Anti-Harassment
You will develop an understanding of what human rights are, especially in the context of workers’ rights. We will look at human rights legislation, why it was introduced and how it has evolved over time. You will gain an understanding of what racism and other acts of discrimination are, and the impact they have on individuals and the workplace. We will also look at what harassment is and how to recognize it. We will identify respectful workplace behaviours and develop a basic understanding of PSAC Policy 23A (Harassment in the Workplace). This session will also examine what privilege is, who has it and the implications for our work on human rights.
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Local Officers’ Training
This is an ideal course for anyone elected to the local executive. You will review the role of the local executive and what you need to do to organize the local. You will learn how to access the wider resources of the PSAC to solve problems on behalf of your local. You will look at the various ways to communicate with the membership, including organizing and conducting more effective meetings. You will examine ways to interest and involve more members in the work of the union. You will develop some administrative skills, including how to read a computer printout and draft a budget. Some of these are transferable skills and strategies which can be useful as you participate in volunteer organizations within your community. [top]
Mediation and Anti-Racism
This is a one-day workshop organized by the Anti-Racism Committee. It is for those who might consider (or advise others to consider) using mediation to address racism and human rights issues. You will learn what mediation is, review some general mediation principles, and examine different styles of mediation. You will also learn who the participants are in a mediation session, and what are the roles and responsibilities of the participants and the mediator. You will be introduced to mediation as a process, what goes into the planning of a mediation session and how to set the agenda. You will look at case studies and participate in exercises and open discussion.
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Strike Training
Two types of programs are offered, one for the general membership and one for picket captains and strike captains. Or both programs may be combined in whole or in part. Verify with your PSAC Regional Office what training is being offered.
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General Membership Training
You will have a thorough and up-to-date understanding of the issues and status of the current bargaining dispute(s). You will be introduced to the key aspects of the legislation governing strikes, and what they mean in practical terms. You will examine the various types of strikes and some of the tactics involved. We will look at the various roles of members called out on strike, members who are not on strike and members who are designated employees. You will have an understanding of the decision-making structure with respect to strikes. We will develop collective and workable solutions to the major problems that striking workers face.
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Training for Strike Captains and Picket Captains
In addition to the material covered in the general membership strike training, you will be introduced to some of the case law governing strikes. We will examine the roles of the strike coordinator, strike committees, strike captains and picket captains in greater detail. We will identify strategies for conducting an effective strike, including how to motivate strikers, picketers and designated employees. We will review decision-making and communications with respect to planning and carrying out strike action.
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Talking Union Basics
This is the Alliance’s key “introductory” course. If you have wondered what it means to be a union member, how the PSAC works and what happens to your dues dollars, Talking Union Basics provides answers to these questions and more. The course also introduces collective agreements, your rights as an employee and as a member of the PSAC. You will learn about the many opportunities to be active in the union and ways you can make a contribution to building strong locals. This is the prerequisite course for the union’s advanced program as it provides the basic knowledge to help you get the most out of other courses.[top]
Understanding ADR (Alternate Dispute Resolution)
“ADR” (Alternate Dispute Resolution) is finding a place in a number of recourse mechanisms in our workplaces. You will look at the various features, strengths and weaknesses of ADR and where mediation “fits” in an ADR model. You will examine the various roles and responsibilities of those involved. “Workplace assessments” will be also be explored, including the features of a good workplace assessment. You will also review what should be included in a workplace policy or protocol on ADR, and the role of the union in its development and application.
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Understanding and Interpreting the Collective Agreement
This workshop will enhance your understanding of what the collective agreement is and what it contains. We will explore some key provisions and recent amendments. You will be introduced to an easy four-step approach to collective agreement interpretation. We will practise using the four-step model, consider the “intention of the parties” and identify aids to interpretation. We will practise interpreting and applying the collective agreement to actual workplace situations using previously arbitrated cases. Deconstructing actual cases will strengthen your ability to problem-solve through analysis and discussion. The session will demystify the collective agreement and provide you with the necessary basic skills for ongoing self-directed learning. This workshop is normally available only upon request. Organize one for your workplace.
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Union Management Consultation
Union and management teams thoroughly examine and assess their own consultative structures and practices, and jointly identify what they need to do to improve the quality of their union management consultation. Topics include a definition of consultation, case law principles, when consultation is mandatory and the indicators of meaningful and effective consultation. Examples of the parties’ previous experiences with consultation will be analyzed for the purpose of identifying what, if anything, could have been done differently. Working groups will draft input and determine a process for strengthening their terms of reference and other working tools.
Advanced Program
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Employment Equity
This five-day course will focus on the requirements and practical application of the Employment Equity Act. There are a number of exercises to help you interpret a workforce audit, identify potential employment barriers facing equity groups, review the findings of an employment systems review and analyze an employment equity plan. You will also learn about the Duty to Accommodate. “Making consultation and collaboration work” will be an integrated thread of the course. You will develop your analytical skills and identify tools and resources to help you participate effectively on a workplace employment equity committee. You will be required to do some pre-course research on the status of employment equity in your workplace, and bring a copy of your workplace employment equity plan to the course.
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Local Officers’ Advanced Training
Ideally, two or more members of the same local executive should participate in this course. Course content will include the role of the local executive, local activities, local committees and terms of reference, communicating and recruiting, representation issues and the Duty of Fair Representation, local meetings, improving the effectiveness of union management consultation, the local and collective bargaining, and rights and protections of union representatives. Participants will be asked to complete a pre-course questionnaire on their local, and gather a number of resources to bring to the course.
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Political and Social Activism
We are affected by decisions of many levels of government as workers, voters and consumers. This course encourages us to think seriously about the kind of government we want and the kind of society we want to build together. If you are interested in political and social action – working with others in the workplace and the community, between elections or during election campaigns – this may be the course for you. Topics include direct action, working with the media, coalition building, the political system, defending public services, creating membership awareness, lobbying elected representatives, use of the Internet in relation to social and political action, mobilization techniques, globalization and international solidarity.
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Representation Skills
This course will be of interest to stewards who have some experience representing members on workplace issues. You will develop your representation skills, but also practise turning workplace problems into opportunities to involve members. Topics include the role of an effective union steward; duty of fair representation; collective agreement interpretation; building a complete file; discipline; resources within the union; dealing with harassment complaints. You will look at protections for union stewards and the limits to the “immunity” a steward enjoys. You will work with case studies based on actual arbitration/adjudication decisions and in the process, expand your knowledge of case law on topics such as off-duty conduct, sexual harassment, estoppel, mitigating factors, alcohol addiction, duty to mitigate and duty to accommodate.