Public Service Alliance of Canada BC

Dear Sisters and Brothers:

The B.C. Federation of Labour is pleased to announce that the BC Fed Health & Safety Centre is continuing the Occupational Health & Safety and Labour Education Program into the 2007/2008 school year.

For the past four years, the Centre has been training young workers from various affiliates to facilitate high school sessions across the province.

In 2003, the B.C. Federation of Labour and the BC Teachers’ Federation introduced this Program to prepare young workers to talk to the students in the high schools about their rights in the workplace. Since then, over 30,000 high school students have participated in the workshops, and over 40 young union members have been trained to deliver these workshops. The success of the Program is due to the commitment and passion of these young facilitators.

I am writing to invite your union to participate in this very exciting opportunity for young workers. The Federation is once again in the process of identifying young workers committed to facilitating Health and Safety and Labour Education workshops in high schools in their community.

The Federation will also provide participants with information on basic occupational health and safety, the role of unions in BC, and effective facilitation skills. We have found that many of the young people involved have gained many skills from the Program and continue to work with their unions as safety and labour activists.

Our goal is to have a diverse range of facilitators from various unions across the province. The Federation will cover the cost of accommodation, travel, wage loss, and per diem expenses for the facilitators.

There are a number of ways that you can assist the B.C. Federation of Labour in this regard:

• identify young workers in your union who would be willing to commit to working with this Program for at least one year;
• indicate your agreement that the Program can draw on young workers, who are members of your union, to attend a training session and facilitate workshops in high schools in their communities;
• agree to invoice the B.C. Federation of Labour for lost wages; and
• assist your members in obtaining leave from their employers.

Because this Program is mandated to give educational sessions to high school students and young workers, participants will be asked to certify they do not have a criminal record. They may be required to have a Criminal Record Check depending upon the policy of the individual School Boards.

The Federation will pay the cost for these checks. Please forward the application to young workers in your union who would be interested in participating.

Applications should be returned to the B.C. Federation of Labour by October 15th, 2007. All applicants will need to be authorized by their unions and the form for approval will be sent once the application is received.

The B.C. Federation of Labour would like to thank you for your assistance and for the participation of your members in our Program. If you have any further questions or concerns, please contact the B.C. Federation of Labour Occupational Health and Safety Education Young Worker Co-ordinator, Dayna Sykes.

In solidarity, JIM SINCLAIR President

Download the BCFed Youth H&S Facilitator Application Form (pdf):