Public Service Alliance of Canada BC

The Union Development Program (UDP) – PSAC BC Region

• Level One: December 1st  December 5th, 2009. Metrotown Hilton, Burnaby
• Level Two: January 31st  February 5th, 2010. CLC Winter School, Harrison Hot Springs
• Level Three: April 26th  May 1st, 2010. Metrotown Hilton, Burnaby

• Deadline for applications has been extended to  October 9th, 2009. Late applications will not be accepted.
• Prerequisite: All UDP applicants must have taken the PSAC Talking Union Basics (TUB) course or equivalent.
• Apply online here or download and mail in an application form (pdf)
• Download the UDP brochure (pdf)

The Union Development Program (UDP) is a sixteen-day intensive education program designed to develop the leadership skills of emerging union activists. The UDP includes three levels of learning events [UDP 1, UDP 2 and UDP 3] with specific leadership assignments in between. The complete program takes place over a 5 month period.

UDP 1:  At the Workplace  focuses on building the union at the Local level. At UDP 1, we explore union principles and we look at how privilege and oppression impacts us, our family, our community, our workplaces and the union. We analyze dynamic models of engaging and organizing members, develop effective communication strategies, practice public speaking, develop strategic planning skills and plan inclusive and strategic workplace actions.

UDP 2: Labours Role in Society deals with labour’s role in the social and economic fabric of our society. At UDP 2, we discuss the roots of racism and its impact. We look at our union’s history and the history of the Canadian labour movement. We explore ways of navigating and participating in the PSAC, discuss the impact of the economy on labour and society, and we look at how labour operates nationally and internationally.

UDP 3: Leadership in Action focuses on building and sustaining activism in the union. We are inspired by the work of other union and social justice activists. We look more closely at how to develop ourselves as union activists: building on leadership skills and looking at healthy ways to sustain our energies. At UDP 3, the participant becomes the facilitator through development and delivery of interactive presentations on current issues requiring action. The course highlights a mock convention where we practice our political skills and model union democracy. UDP 3 is our springboard to increased activism. We will wind up by planning and celebrating our role in building the future of the union.

Goal: To build and rejuvenate the pool of core PSAC activists/leaders

Objectives: By the end of the UDP, participants will be able to:

• describe their collective vision of social justice and the role of unions in achieving that vision;
• define the philosophy, structures and political dynamics of the Alliance and of the broader union movement;
• analyze some of the issues of current significance to the labour and social justice movements;
• demonstrate leadership in pursuit of their vision;
• commit to working through the union to create positive social change that effectively addresses the needs of working people, their families, and their communities
• challenge themselves to be stronger allies in anti-oppression work
• increase their skills in doing ‘nuts and bolts’ of activist work.

Criteria for participation in the Union Development Program

The potential UDP participant is a member who:

• has been active in the union and/or social justice movement;
• is committed to building a strong, inclusive, movement for equality and social justice;
• has experience with, and commitment to, dynamic, creative and effective collective action;
• is committed to ongoing activist work within the PSAC and the broader labour and social justice movements;
• has demonstrated initiative in furthering her or his own leadership development;
• has demonstrated a willingness to assume leadership responsibilities as a union/social justice activist;
• will commit to fulfilling all of the obligations of UDP, including participation on three separate 5 – 6 day learning events and specific assignments and/or projects in between the learning events;
• has the will, ability and commitment to use her or his UDP experience to assume a leadership role in the union.

The PSAC is committed to ensuring that participants in the UDP program are representative of the diversity of our union membership.

Expenses

Loss of Salary – Participants scheduled to work during the course will be reimbursed loss of salary.

In-Residence Courses – The UDP is an Advanced, In-Residence Course and all participants for this course will be provided accommodation and considered in travel status.

Family Care – The PSAC covers family care expenses for PSAC courses, union schools and other education events.

For further details regarding expense entitlements, please click here.