Public Service Alliance of Canada BC

This year’s Spring Weekend Seminar sponsored by the New Westminster & District Labour Council will be held April 8th & 9th, 2006 at the Justice Institute of BC, 715 McBride Boulevard, New Westminster, BC.

The courses are designed to equip individuals with the knowledge and skills to handle the many roles in the union. See below for the registration form, course description, and delegate information.

If you have any questions, please contact the NWDLC at 604-524-9311. We encourage your participation at the April seminar and urge you to share the course information with members in your workplace and union.

• New Westminster & District Labour Council (CLC) Weekend Seminar
• Location: Justice Institute of BC, 715 McBride Blvd, New Westminster, BC
• April 8th & 9th, 2006

Download the NWDLC Spring Weekend Seminar registration form .

Course Descriptions

Facing Management: This course develops a better understanding of how managers think and why they do what they do. This course covers traditional and newer management styles and programs, political and economic power, with the aim of developing effective trade union responses and strategies. This course stresses developing union leadership skills, problem solving, building the union and keeping the membership involved.

Financial Planning “Common Cents”: It makes sense to learn how to manage, invest and plan your financial future. Regardless of your age or income level, this course will help you understand ways to manage your money including budgeting tips and tools, debt management and setting f inancial goals. Other topics will include ‘knowing before you invest’ presented by the BC Securities Commission and information on pre-retirement and retirement planning. ***Participants will require: Pencil, basic function calculator and notebook. This course is coordinated by Community Savings Credit Union.

Labour History 101: This course will examine the basic themes and important events in Canadian labour history from the fur trade to the present, with emphasis on British Columbia. We will discuss how understanding our history can help us meet the challenges of the present. The course will cover themes such as the formation of labour unions; struggles for union recognition and shorter hours; key strikes; craft and industrial unionism; racism and sexism within and outside the labour movement; labour legislation and its impact on labour; political action and informal protest and organizing in industrial, public and clerical sectors.

Parliamentary Procedure: This course deals with the rules and procedures governing the preparation and conduct of local union meetings. You will discuss the rules of order, how to make a motion, the duties and responsibilities of the chairperson, and practice your skills by writing motions and participating in a mock meeting. This is an excellent course for new activists who want to learn basic parliamentary procedure and begin to practice their speaking skills on motions.

Steward Training I (Basic): This is an introductory course dealing with the day-to-day responsibilities of a steward as an organizer, educator, leader and communicator, as well as the basic preparation and handling of a grievance.

Steward Training II (Grievance Handling): This course is designed for stewards with limited experience, or for those wishing to upgrade their skills at processing grievances. Course content deals with identifying, investigating and processing grievances, up to but not including the arbitration stage.***Pre-requisite Steward Training I (Basic)***

Steward Training III (Steward as Leader): This course explores the role of the steward or similar union official and the increasing responsibilities that this role entails in the face of changing union and growing legislative responsibilities. The course focuses on the human rights issues, legislation, and other legal obligations (duty of fair representation), and implications for the role of steward in the workplace and how stewards can help to build their local unions. Participants should already be well grounded in basic stewards training.

Participant Information

Location: The New Westminster & District Labour Council (CLC) Weekend Seminar will be held at the JUSTICE INSTITUTE of BC located at 715 McBride Boulevard, New Westminster.

Registration: Deadline for registration is Friday, March 31st, 2006. Register early to obtain your first choice course as registration will be accepted on a first come, first serve basis. Each course is 1 2 days of instruction.

Payment: The course fee is $55.00 per delegate and must be received with the registration form. A cheque payable to the New Westminster & District Labour Council and registration form may be mailed or delivered to the Labour Council office at #203A - 800 McBride Blvd, New Westminster, BC V3L 2B8 before February 28, 2006. Effective March 1st, 2006, please mail or deliver to #105 – 3920 Norland Avenue, Burnaby, BC V5G 4K7 and our new phone number is 604-291-9306 and new fax number is 604-291-0996.

Course Changes: Delegates must notify the NW&DLC if they wish to change courses. In the event a course is cancelled by the NW&DLC due to low registration, delegates will be registered in their 2nd choice course. If there is no accommodation in either your 1st or 2nd choice course, you will be notified of the cancellation. If we do not have a telephone number to contact you in the event of a cancellation, your Local Union will be notified.

Course Cancellations: Registration fee(s) will not be refunded unless cancellation notification is received no later than 12 noon Friday, March 31st, 2006.

Meals and Coffee: Coffee and tea will be available during registration period and classroom breaks on Saturday and Sunday. Lunch is provided on Saturday only.

Student Conduct: The New Westminster & District Labour Council and the administration of the Justice Institute of BC endeavors to provide a supportive working and learning environment that provides an equal opportunity to all students. Such an atmosphere is based on the principle that union members are equal and deserve mutual respect. Behavior that undermines the dignity or self-esteem of any individual, or that creates an intimidating, hostile, or offensive environment whether it is sexual, racial or other forms of personal harassment, will not be tolerated or condoned.

Agenda

Saturday

• 8:30 - 9:00 Registration
• 9:00 - 9:30 Plenary Session – Cafeteria
• 9:30 -12:00 Individual Classes
• 12:00 -1:00 Lunch (provided)
• 1:00 - 4:30 Individual Classes

Sunday

• 9:00 - 12:00 Individual Classes

* Please be on time - classes will be held from 9:30 am. to 4:30 pm. on Saturday and from 9:00 am. to 12:00 pm. on Sunday.