2018 Ontario Steward Labour School
The Grand Hotel and Suites, Toronto
May 2 (1/2 day) May 3 and 4 (full days), May 5 (1/2 day), 2018
Qualified Stewards are invited to register for the Ontario Region’s Labour School. This will consist of 3 days of specialized courses oriented towards experienced Stewards. It will take place at The Grand Hotel and Suites, 225 Jarvis Street, Toronto, Ontario.
The program will consist of 3 concurrent courses of 1.5 days each. Each course will be presented twice over the 3 days, with every Steward attending 2 of the 3 courses.
Overview of Courses:
Advanced Grievance Handling – (1.5 days)
Upon completion of the course, participants will be able to:
1. identify and apply the steps in the grievance process;
2. appreciate the steward’s role in the grievance process;
3. support members through the use of effective interviewing, communication and investigation
skills;
4. demonstrate sound knowledge of grievance handling, effective grievance writing and the
presentation of grievances and;
5. network with other stewards and seek support and collaboration when required.
Investigative Techniques (1.5 days)
Upon completion of the course, participants will be able to:
1. familiarize yourself with the role of stewards in the investigative process;
2. examine the basic concepts and practical considerations related to evidence;
3. identify foundations for successful investigation techniques;
4. develop the ability to collect and analyze evidence and to conduct investigations related to member cases and;
5. improve communication skills for purposes of investigating, conducting interviews and representing members.
Valuing Human Rights and Diversity – (1.5 days)
Upon completion of the course, participants will be able to:
1. identify the key principals and legislation guiding human rights in the workplace;
2. explain the intersection between duty to accommodate and human rights;
3. define and apply concepts related to diversity and inclusion;
4. identify critical issues around human rights in the workplace and develop strategies to respond to these challenges;
5. develop confidence and capacity to effectively advise and support members experiencing discrimination and;
6. strengthen comfort level and sensitivity to human rights and diversity.
Applicants are asked to indicate the courses which they would like to take on their on-line registration form. We will make every effort to accommodate your preferred courses.
To maximize this learning experience, no more than 50 applications will be accepted with priority given to new stewards. A selection criteria has been established and will be applied when reviewing the applications. A waiting list will be established for all others.
Upon completion of your on-line registration, you will receive an automatic e-mail confirming receipt. Once your registration has been reviewed, you will receive a second e-mail advising whether you have been selected or not selected to attend this training. Please be advised that travel arrangements cannot be made, nor will hotel reservations be made in your name, until you have received your confirmation letter from the Toronto Regional Office.
Confirmation letters will be sent out during the week of April 3rd, 2018. If you have not received your confirmation letter by Friday April 6th, 2018, it is the responsibility of the steward to contact the Toronto Regional Office.
Please note that by applying for the School, you are agreeing to attend all sessions. Salary replacement will be available to eligible members for May 2 (1/2 day), May 3 & 4. If you have food allergies or dietary restrictions, please be sure to indicate on your registration form in order that we may make suitable arrangements with the hotel.
Registration will close at 5:00 p.m., Friday March 23, 2018. If you have any questions or require more information, please contact Heather Kohli, PIPSC Toronto Office Administrator, by e-mail (hkohli@pipsc.ca) or by telephone (416) 487-1114 or (800) 668-3943, Ext. 7727.
Heather Kohli
Office Administrator
PIPSC Toronto Region Office
ADMINISTRATIVE GUIDELINES
ONTARIO REGION ADVANCED TRAINING SCHOOL
MAY 2 TO 5, 2018
The Grand Hotel and Suites, Toronto
Transportation
Stewards can claim the lesser of the actual kilometers driven or the rate of $700.00 (round trip), which is based on Air Canada Flight passes and ground transportation.
Compensatory salary and meal expenses will be reimbursed based on travel by plane.
Any car rental requests require pre-approval by the Toronto Regional office. Once you receive your confirmation letter, you must call BCD Travel at 1-866-768-7624 and request a quote for the rental car. Please email that information to me for approval by Finance.
Once we have confirmed your registration by confirmation letter and you require plane or train travel, please contact BCD Travel.
Additional costs due to driving (rather than flying), such as meals, time missed from work and accommodation incurred during transit, will be at the responsibility of the traveler. Refer to the PIPSC Travel Policy available on our website at www.pipsc.ca for further information. If you have any questions regarding the PIPSC Travel Policy, please inquire prior to making your travel arrangements.
Accommodation
The hotel and training coordinates are:
The Grand Hotel and Suites
225 Jarvis Street
Toronto, Ontario
M5B 2C1
It is expected that the majority of stewards will be able to travel on Wednesday morning in order to arrive at the training on time for the 1:00 commencement. As the training concludes at noon on Saturday, it is also expected that all participants will travel home that day. Requests for additional accommodation will be reviewed in accordance with the PIPSC Travel Policy.
The Toronto office will book your room nights at the hotel for the date of your arrival, once we confirm your attendance by confirmation letter. The room rate is based on single or double occupancy. If you wish to bring your spouse/significant other and or children, please inform us on your registration form.
The cost of the hotel will be paid by the Institute through a master account. All incidental expenses are to be paid by the steward. The hotel will require your credit card upon check-in.
Rooms will be guaranteed to the Institute for late arrival. Please be aware that PIPSC will be charged in full for any rooms cancelled after May 2, 2018, regardless of whether or not they are used. We ask that you be mindful of this fact when completing your registration form.
If you have to cancel your attendance, please notify me immediately at 416-487-1114 or 1-800-668-3943, extension 7727 or email at hkohli@pipsc.ca .
Should you have to cancel at the last minute, i.e. on May 2, or leave earlier then what you had advised, please contact the hotel directly to cancel your reservation, as well as notifying me. Failure to do so will result in you being charged for the room, as per the attached excerpt from the Travel Policy.
Part F - Accommodation
5. Hotel Accommodations Cancellations
- When travel plans change and the accommodations will not be required, the member shall ensure that reservations are cancelled either through the Institute staff resource, the Institute travel agent or directly with the commercial establishment(s) as appropriate. Proof of cancellation shall be obtained (i.e., cancellation number and agent's name).
- In cases where a charge is incurred due to the member's negligence, (e.g., failure to cancel a guaranteed reservation), the Institute shall recover the cost from the member. Where members are billed directly, they shall be responsible for making such payments.
Meals
PIPSC will provide the following meals:
Thursday – breakfast and lunch
Friday - breakfast and lunch
Saturday - breakfast
Note: all guests (including family, if applicable) staying at the hotel will be provided with a hot/cold buffet every morning.
Spouse/Significant Other and/or Children
Please note that the Saturday night stay under the Policy on Balancing Union Activity and Family Life does not apply to training events.
Parking
Self park will be billed directly to the Institute for one vehicle. As per policy, valet parking will not be covered by the Institute. Parking will be available for all guests underground. Please provide your license plate number to the reservation desk upon arriving at the hotel.
Compensation for Leave
Institute policy allows for compensating participants who use vacation, compensatory leave or leave without pay for attendance at training sessions. Compensation is also allowed when such leave is required to travel to the course. The participant must provide a completed employer’s leave form authorizing the leave and complete a PIPSC Compensatory Salary Claim form available on the website.
Salary compensation will be provided for Wednesday (1/2 day), Thursday and Friday, including reasonable travel time, except in the case of shift workers who will be reimbursed for appropriate shifts due to their attendance at training. Reasonable travel time is defined as the amount of time that it takes to get from your home or work to the training location by the most direct route with no stops.
If for any reason, you expect to deviate from these guidelines, you must notify us in advance.