Introduction

Acknowledgement of Territory and Commitment to Truth and Reconciliation

PSAC - Indigenous Issues

Learn more about Indigenous issues and campaigns at PSAC.
https://psacunion.ca/indigenous-issues

Learn which Indigenous territory you are on

  • native-land.ca
    Native Land is an app to help map Indigenous territories, treaties, and languages.
  • Guide to Acknowledging First Peoples & Traditional Territory, Canadian Association of University Teachers (CAUT)
    Offers the Canadian Association of University Teachers (CAUT) recommended territorial acknowledgement for institutions where our members work, organized by province.

Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) Calls to Action 57 and 92

Action #57 calls upon federal, provincial, territorial, and municipal governments to provide to public servants:

Action #92 calls upon the private sector in Canada to provide to management and staff:
Education on the history of Indigenous people, including:

  • the history and legacy of residential schools,
  • the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples,
  • Treaties and Aboriginal rights,
  • Indigenous law,
  • Aboriginal–Crown relations.
  • Skills based training in intercultural competency, conflict resolution, human rights, and anti-racism.

 

UTE Anti-Harassment Policy

 

UTE Statement on Scent-Free Environments

Please be aware that many members are sensitive to chemicals, including those found in perfumes, aftershaves, air sprays, etc. 

Please do not use scented products during the event. 

Thank you for your cooperation.

Maximize Learning

Proposals to help to maximize everyone’s learning during this course and to share needs and priorities everyone here may have.

  • Participate when you can.

As facilitators we are counting on your participation and energy to keep us all going.

  • Leave space for others.

If you know you are someone who talks a lot, try to make an effort to leave space for others to be able to participate.

  • Remember that participation looks a lot of ways – listening, small group discussion, contributing to group work, speaking, etc.
  • Turn your device off or to vibrate.
  • Be aware of your energy levels.

Stretch, get your blood flowing, move around when you need to, etc.

  • Impact vs intention

Remember that impact is more important than intention – if you someone suggests that a statement or idea is hurtful or derogatory, take the time to:

  • listen and consider their perspective
  • consider that multiple truths may exist in the same space at the same time
  • consider that while we may not intend to cause harm, sometimes we might do so without realizing it.
  • All we have to do is recognize that a mistake and do better next time. 

Course Objectives

Module 1: Unions and Union Principles
By the end of this module, participants will be able to:

  • Explain why unions exist and list some of the reasons workers choose to belong to unions,
  • identify some of the key principles that guide the union’s goals and activities,
  • describe thoughts and feelings about being a union member.

Module 2: Learning about UTE and Labour History 
By the end of this module, participants will be able to:

  • Talk about some important labour actions in Canadian history,
  • Describe the positive impact labour has had on Canadian history and the rights we have today,
  • Identify ways that workers fought for and won those rights,
  • talk about UTE’s history and some of its important successes.
     

Module 3: UTE Structure, Roles and Responsibilities 
By the end of this module, participants will be able to:

  • Explain how UTE fits into the larger PSAC structure,
  • describe how they, as a union member, fit into the UTE structure,
  • identify the basic levels of UTE’s structure,
  • give examples what each level is responsible for,
  • explain why UTE operates at these various levels of structure.

Module 4: Governance of the PSAC and the UTE 
By the end of this module, participants will be able to:

  • Refer to the foundational documents of the PSAC and the UTE,
  • identify various UTE By-Laws and their purpose,
  • describe the kinds of offences that could lead to discipline by the UTE,
  • identify various UTE Regulations and their purpose.

Module 5: Know Your Rights and Responsibilities 
By the end of this module, participants will be able to:

  • Identify what rights members have in the workplace and where those rights come from,
  • give examples of rights PSAC members have in the workplace,
  • right to grieve.

Module 6: Using Your Collective Agreement 
By the end of this module, participants will be able to:

  • Explain what a collective agreement is,
  • explain why collective agreements are important,
  • navigate the UTE collective agreement in order to find basic information,
  • identify some rights specified in the UTE collective agreement.

Module 7: Understanding Collective Bargaining 
By the end of this module, participants will be able to:

  • UTE-specific context vis-a-vis treasury board,
  • identify the importance of collective bargaining,
  • outline the steps in the bargaining process,
  • highlight the roles in collective bargaining,
  • identify how they can be involved in the various stages of the bargaining process.