Union Education
The union encourages all members to participate in union-related learning opportunities. Educating our members is crucial to creating a safe space for reflection, introspection, and change. This could be CUPE offered training, or union-related conferences/conventions. We will often bring opportunities to our General Membership Meetings (GMMs) for members to consider. If you are interested in training please email the Union Executive including a link to the training, if available. All training is subject to approval by the Executive Board, and for large conventions and conferences, membership approval is required. Once approved, please ensure all steps below are completed. Also remember to coordinate with your supervisor regarding any training that may impact work hours.
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to the Executive Board:
Timelines:
When possible, the union executive needs more than one (1) week to process training requests. Anything less than a week may not be approved, but will still be considered.
Training on Work Time:
First have a discussion with your supervisor, as they may have the ability to adjust your schedule. If adjustment is not available, you will need to use Time Off/Leave for Union Business aka “book-off”.
Book-off is covered under Article 13.01(c) ii of our collective agreement. You will be paid by the employer as per usual for this time.
Members completing training on work time need to fill out both the employer’s Time Off for Union Business form as well as the local’s education request form AND separate expense form.
Training on Members’ Time:
Members completing training on their own time, only need to complete the local’s education request form & expense form (i.e. to request per diem).
Expenses:
For training run by CUPE the union is often able to cover the registration fee via cheque.
Other expenses will need to be paid out-of-pocket (parking, accommodations, etc.); the union will do our best to reimburse known out-of-pocket expenses ahead of your training via cheque. For any remaining expenses the union will reimburse the member after completion of the training, and upon receiving receipts.
For all expenses incurred, please submit receipts to <treasurer.217cupe@outlook.com>.
Find the Local’s Expense Form here.
The Local never wants cost to be a barrier to union education, so please connect with the Executive Board with any concerns you may have.
Training Report:
Upon completion of the training, please also submit a training report. The report can be read at the next General Membership Meeting (GMM) by a member of the Executive Board, or you can present a review of your training experience if you attend (in-person or via Zoom).
LINKS:
Employer Time Off for Union Business: LPL’s LIBBI Page ; Fillable PDF
Local Education Request: Google Form
Local Expense Form: Fillable PDF
Local Training Report: Google Form
Find CUPE’s training calendar here.