2016 CLC Summer School: course descriptions
Facing management effectively
This course will look at economic, political, social forces at play between union and management. It will examine the roles and rights of each group and the different types of union/management relationships and styles. We will look at the power, bias, and privilege dynamics between union and management and how we can communicate effectively. We will focus on problem solving – understanding issues, developing strategies, finding and presenting facts and argument, finding areas of agreement, building solutions, implementing and maintaining solutions. Participants can expect lots of participation, interaction, and role-plays along with practical skills and tools for communication, analysis, strategy, and critical thinking. This course will look at economic, political, social forces at play between union and management. It will examine the roles and rights of each group and the different types of union/ management relationships and styles. We will look at the power, bias, and privilege dynamics between union and management and how we can communicate effectively. We will focus on problem solving – understanding issues, developing strategies, finding and presenting facts and argument, finding areas of agreement, building solutions, implementing and maintaining solutions. Participants can expect lots of participation, interaction, and role-plays along with practical skills and tools for communication, analysis, strategy, and critical thinking.
ODRT Level 4 – Return to Work
(Levels 1 and 2 prerequisites)
This course, designed for those who will or do work in assisting injured workers through a therapeutic work reintegration (WR), provides workplace parties with the tools necessary to develop strategies that ensure successful outcomes. Through the exploration of leading research, participants learn the principles of good WR practices and the Duty to Accommodate. Barriers to successful WR are addressed with a focus on attitudinal barriers and their elimination using the social model of disability and therapeutic return to work (RTW) principles.
An in depth comparison, between older methods of disability management and the newer, progressive disability prevention model, is presented and participants learn about the paradigm shift from management to prevention. Roles of the parties involved (employer, injured worker, representative, H&S representatives) are discussed.
WR and the WSIB are presented with respect to the Board policies. The hierarchy of RTW job opportunities and the definitions for an early and safe WR, roles of all the involved parties, communications, dispute resolutions and penalties are covered. The Ontario Human Rights Code (OHRC) and RTW are discussed with a comparison of WSIB and OHRC obligations. (Extra cost $190).
Labour community advocate training program: Level 1
This foundational course is offered to new Labour Community Advocates and other union members who are responsible for providing community referrals in the workplace. In Level 1 participants will learn about the social issues faced by working people and the resources available in their community. Participants are trained in communication skills, interviewing and referral techniques. In addition to providing a link between the workplace and community social services and agencies, participants will explore the ways in which unions and other labour bodies can help build resilient and respectful communities.
Member engagement – member action (new for 2016)
This course is designed for experienced shop stewards, local union leaders and union staff who want to transform how members engage with their union and how their union engages with members.
This course will train participants on the three-step approach to effective member engagement (Go, Listen, Build) and connect it to a three-step approach for building an active membership (one-on-one communication, taking action on worksite issues, and designing a strategy and plan to win).
This training is particularly helpful for unions with upcoming contract negotiations, a backlog of unresolved grievances, a particularly disengaged membership, or a diverse membership that is not reflected in local leadership.
Each participant will leave the training with a worksite specific plan for creating an engaged and active membership as well as a series of measurable goals to evaluate outcomes.
Mental health in the workplace
Mental Health in the Workplace! This course will help raise awareness for participants about mental health issues facing workers in today's workplace. Activists will develop a range of strategies to specifically support, accommodate & represent members with mental health challenges at work. We will look at the myths around mental illness, challenging stigma and what role the union can play in making our workplaces & unions more inclusive of members with psychological disabilities. We will develop action plans to take on systemic factors affecting mental health through advocacy, bargaining & political action.
Parliamentary procedure and public speaking
This is a two-part course. Parliamentary Procedure covers how to run a meeting effectively, the duties of a chairperson and secretary, and how the rules of order can provide a democratic and fair process to get the business of the union accomplished. Public Speaking covers how to speak persuasively to various groups and how different formats are used to speak at convention, debates, and impromptu gatherings.
Taking unions to the next generation
Is your local struggling with member apathy, on how to reach the different generations in your union and workplace? Do you want to build your skills to represent and defend the union message? This course deals with the important issue of recruiting and mobilizing local union activists. It will increase your awareness of the needs and realities of members of different generations in the union and workplace. It will build your level of comfort and provide you with the skills for engaging in meaningful cross-generational dialogue. We invite you to explore how the union might respond to the values of young and new workers, and share perspectives on how union culture can continue to adapt to meet the needs of each generation.
Workers' health and safety instructor training
(Week 1 – women only)
The training delivery system adopted by the WHSC more than 30 years ago was built on labour's philosophy of "workers training workers". Graduates of the Instructor Training program come away with this philosophy along with essential skills necessary to facilitate health and safety training programs in an adult learning environment. Participants identify, discuss, then practice various learning techniques essential to adult education including communication skills to help participants overcome their barriers to communication and draw on participants' existing knowledge and experience, and effective use of numerous evaluation techniques and educational tools including audio-visual aides.