PSAC Courses

Talking Union Basics

The TUB is the "cornerstone" of Alliance Education. It is a prerequisite for all the In-Residence Programs. This course will introduce you to the Alliance and the fundamentals of trade union action. Emphasis is put on members' rights at the workplace and in the union, on understanding and using the collective agreement, and on the union mechanisms to obtain and protect rights such as collective bargaining and the grievance procedure.

Fighting Discrimination

This is an action-oriented course designed to prepare you to defend human rights. You will be made aware of the nature and impact of discrimination and learn how to use the Canadian Human Rights Act and your collective agreement to promote human rights in the workplace.

Grievance Handling

The Grievance Handling Course will develop your knowledge, skills and confidence in effectively handling grievances at the workplace. A major portion of time is spent on the relevant technical skills, i.e., identifying, investigating, writing up, and presenting grievances.

Harassment Awareness Training

A one day information session that looks at discriminatory behavour and its relationship to harassment in the workplace. We also look at legal remedies and preventative measures.

Health & Safety Committee Member Training

This course has been developed specifically for Alliance members appointed to worksite safety and health committees or as worksite safety and health representatives under Part II of the Canada Labour Code.

Men and Women Talking: A Vision of Equality

This course provides the opportunity for you as an Alliance member to discuss and explore equality issues such as systemic discrimination, affirmative action, and sexual harassment. It will encourage you to work collectively within the union to advance women's equality both in the workplace and in society at large.

Sexual Harassment: What Harm Done?

This weekend course brings together Alliance women to further their understanding of what constitutes sexual harassment and the conditions that make people vulnerable to this type of behaviour. Participants develop both individual and collective strategies for effectively dealing with sexual harassment in the workplace. (For women only)

Convention Procedures Seminar

This course has been developed to answer the needs of our members. Its objectives are to develop a clear understanding of the purpose of a Convention, to develop a knowledge of the conduct of a Convention, to increase knowledge of Convention Rules of Order and develop abilities in their usage, and to develop an understanding of their role as delegates or observers and to improve their abilities to carry out the responsibilities.

Staffing in the Federal Public Service

Objectives of the course are to introduce and critically analyze the rules as they are enshrined in the Public Service Employment Act and Regulations, to review the steps one should take to prepare for a competition, to introduce the relevant details of the appeals system and other avenues to redress staffing decisions, to discuss current issues that impact on staffing, and to explore the union's position on staffing in the federal public service.

Strike Course

At the end of the course participants will have the knowledge, skills and willingness to perform the roles expected of an ordinary member during a strike, have the specific knowledge, skills and confidence necessary to picket effectively, understand the major personal problems, e.g., financial, that striking workers face, have a trade union attitude towards strikes, know how to conduct an effective strike at the local level, have the skills and techniques to motivate strikers, picketers, etc., know and be skilled in the use of the tactics necessary to conduct an effective strike at the local level.

Advanced Course Description

Appeals Representative Training (3 Days)

The Appeals Representative Training course is intended to provide members with the skills, ability and confidence necessary to properly represent members on Section 21 appeals. The course also deals with Deployment appeals and Reverse Order of Merit complaints. The ART is not a general interest course. It is an intensive course designed for members who will be representing members on appeals. Applications must be forwarded through your Component.

This course is for activists who are committed to "taking union education to the members at the workplace". Participants learn to identify learning needs, set objectives, facilitate discussions, use training aids, and develop one or two hour training sessions. Participants on the course learn through "practice". The AFTP is an integral part of the Alliance Policy on Member Instructors.

Human Rights Training Program (5 Days)

The course is designed for union members interested in developing their skills, knowledge and attitudes to become human rights activists in their union, workplace and community.

Among other things, following the course, participants will be able to develop basic strategies and identify appropriate union and community resources to respond to discrimination, harassment and inequities in the workplace and in the union; develop a plan to apply the learning from the course to their work setting, union and community; and, network and work collaboratively with other human rights activists in the union/community and to share information and resources in their union and in their region.

Members who apply for this course must be supportive of PSAC policy statements on human rights, employment equity for persons with disabilities, sexual orientation, equal opportunities, and the provision of alternative formats for members with disabilities.

Local Officers Advanced Training (5 Days)

The LOAT is open to Stewards and Local Officers. Participants learn to work together as a team to efficiently administer Local business and organize their members at the workplace. All aspects of an effective Local including by-laws, the Executive, the Steward Network, committees, meetings and communications are covered. Participants also learn how to use union-management consultation, collective bargaining, and regional action as effective problem-solving tools.

National Officers Training Program (5 Days)

This program is open to PSAC National Directorsand Component National Officers. Participants develop organizational, problem-solving, and decision-making skills so they can play an effective leadership role within the union. Particular emphasis is placed on developing "plans of action" that Officers can implement to organize and mobilize the Locals within their jurisdiction.

Political Education Training Program (5 Days)

This program is for Local activists who want to play an active role in PSAC campaigns. It provides members with an understanding of how political decisions affect working people and how activists can work together to influence the political system on behalf of the union. There are sessions on politics and the economy, the political system, politics and the labour movement, the PSAC action program, winning public support, lobbying MPs and creating membership awareness. Topical issues such as free trade, government cutbacks, and political rights are also discussed.

Steward Advanced Training Program (4 Days)

The SATP is a non-residence program for functioning Local stewards. The emphasis is on skill development - how to effectively recruit new members and encourage them to become active; how to keep members informed and interested in the Alliance; how to organize members for workplace action; and how to thoroughly investigate problems and competently represent members on grievances.

Women at Work (5 Days)

Women at Work is offered to Alliance women who show a commitment to improving the conditions of working women through union action. Topics covered during the program include: women's economic status; systemic discrimination; pay equity; affirmative action; and sexual harassment. Participants also learn the organizational and human relations skills needed to translate knowledge into workplace action - for example, meeting skills, public speaking, resolution writing, strategic planning and conflict resolution.

Union Development Program (16 Days)

The overall aim of the UDP is to develop leadership throughout the union. The course consists of three different levels conducted consecutively at one month intervals. UDP Level 1 (5 days) focuses on mobilizing members to take union action at the Local level. UDP Level 2 (5 days) explores the roles of the union activist within the Alliance, within the community, and in relation to the national and international labour movement. UDP Level 3 (6 days) concentrates on developing the skills needed to demonstrate leadership through action, e.g., problem-solving, team work, communications, and convention skills. UDP graduates are expected to become Local, Regional and National Officers of the Components and the Alliance.