After many years of planning and negotiating education fund provisions into Collective Bargaining Agreements, UFCW Local 1400 is able to offer various training programs and scholarships to you, its members. Following the links in the menu bar will take you to pages that list the scholarships available and will outline the various courses available to you. The Education Committee has created the courses for the membership; please help yourselves to them. Please note that all currently scheduled courses run at the Saskatchewan UFCW Local 1400 Training Centre in Saskatoon unless otherwise specified.
Employers who contribute to the Education Fund: Loblaw, Moose Jaw Safeway, Great Western Brewery, Brewers Distributor Ltd., all Security Companies (province wide). If you work for one of these employers, the courses offered at our facility are completely free to use.
About the Facility
We officially opened in June of 1999. Located in Saskatoon, it is the only UFCW Education Centre in our province. Our 5000-square-foot facility houses a computer lab with eight permanent work stations that offer full internet access; we also have a mobile computer lab with six workstations. On location we have small and large classrooms which offer versatility for training, a library, a lunch room, administration offices and on-site free parking complete the Centre.
Mission Statement
The UFCW Local 1400 Education and Training Trust Fund aspires to provide for its members relevant, timely, and meaningful education and training opportunities. These opportunities will be coordinated and provided through the Education and Training Committee. It will be the responsibility of the Trustees to ensure expansion of the programs. Local 1400 will actively pursue the negotiation of more employers into the fund.
COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
Labour Education – Shop Steward and Related Courses
The UFCW Shop Steward schools are designed to empower stewards in their dealings with managers, Reps, and co-workers by helping them understand their Collective Agreements, themselves, and the various tools at their disposal. There are currently two levels of Shop Steward training offered plus various other courses for Stewards and other members to further their skills (listed below). If you would like to sign up for the one of the courses, please contact our office.
Shop Steward Level I
This course is for new Shop Stewards that have not taken any steward training. You will learn the basic fundamentals of the Shop Steward’s duties and responsibilities, communication and listening skills, about types of grievances, how to identify grievances at your work place and how to properly investigate grievances as well as the structure of UFCW Local 1400 and UFCW Canada.
Shop Steward Level II (newly redesigned!)
This course is a follow up to the Level I Steward training. You will learn skills for understanding attitudes, communication, diversity, cultural awareness, self-esteem and leadership, grievance investigation and to understand the inner workings of the workplace setting.
This three-day course includes an introduction to Aboriginal Awareness and not only provides a strong focus on knowing yourself and your fellow members but will also provide a comfortable and supportive environment in which to explore your attitudes, ideas and questions you have about Aboriginal people.
A basic awareness of Aboriginal people’s history and culture will be provided as well as the contemporary issues they are facing today. It will provide factual information and dispel the current myths and misconceptions that surround Aboriginal people today.
The course will create a better understanding of the shared struggles of Aboriginal people and unions. When completed, participants will be able to connect new information and theory to what they already understand and build their capacity to become instruments of change.
Members who have already completed Level II are encouraged to sign up for Meeting of Two Worlds to obtain the additional training included above.
SK Occupational Health & Safety Level I
This is a two day course that examines how ‘Safety begins in the Workplace’. You will learn the responsibilities, requirements and duties as occupational health committee members and those of your employer. You will gain knowledge about provincial legislation, and the regulations covering most workplaces as well as how to identify problems and control workplace hazards and how to handle health and safety concerns in the workplace including the right to refuse unsafe work.
Please note: Preference may be given to members who are currently a Shop Steward and/or a member of your workplace OH&S Committee. However, all interested members may apply.
Workplace Violence & Bullying Prevention
In this course, participants will learn about different types of violence that may happen in their workplace and discuss strategies to improve their personal and workplace safety. You will identify and assess possible risks factors in your workplace then develop an action plan to reduce the possibility of a violent incident occurring in your workplace.
This class is open to any member of the Local, and it is of particular interest for members who are on their workplace Occupational Health & Safety Committee or are Shop Stewards.
Labour Community Advocate Level I (Union Counsellor Level I)
This is a four-day course that trains union members on how to refer their union brothers and sisters to local community services and government programs for help, whatever the problem. The training covers such topics as family violence, drug and alcohol addictions and workplace stress, just to name a few. The program is national in scope and is endorsed by the Canadian Labour Congress, District Labour Councils and the local union. The Union Counselling Program is facilitated by a Labour Associate from the United Way.
Prerequisite: Currently a Shop Steward.
Labour Community Advocate Level II (Union Counsellor Level II)
This next level of Union Counselling gives those with Level I an opportunity to share experiences they have had in the workplace and community. It is a five-day course that provides more in-depth information about various social issues union counsellors may encounter. The sessions which may be covered are:
- Review of Level One
- Union Counsellors – At Work and in the Community
- Mental Health
- Harassment and Bullying
- Loss and Grief
- Family Tensions/Work-life Balance
- Union Counsellors as Social and Political Advocates
The Union Counselling Program is facilitated by a Labour Associate from the United Way.
Prerequisite: Completion of the Union Counsellor Level I course.
Meeting of Two Worlds (Aboriginal Awareness Level I)
This two-day course is designed for all workers (Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal) who want to learn more about Aboriginal issues and who want to work in solidarity with their First Nations and Métis Brothers and Sisters. The course will provide a comfortable and supportive environment in which to explore your attitudes, ideas and questions.
Historically, relationships between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people have developed along separate and negative experiences. Although advances toward building more positive relationships have occurred in recent years, we need to continue to build awareness and understanding of the historical events that form the basis of the present negative stereo types and racist attitudes.
This course begins the process of providing a basic awareness of Aboriginal people’s history and culture in a positive environment as well as the contemporary issues they are facing today. It will provide factual information, dispel the current myths and misconceptions that surround Aboriginal people and, through analyzing the current political and social Aboriginal experience and learning about the uniqueness of the Aboriginal population, create a better understanding of the shared struggles of Aboriginal people and unions.
When completed, participants will be able to connect new information and theory to what they already understand and build their capacity to become instruments of change.
Collective Bargaining
This two day course is designed to give members who would like to find out more about being on their workplace Negotiation Committee information and tools on this topic. The course will take participants through the bargaining process from the election of the committee, developing and prioritizing proposals, reporting back to their membership, reaching a memorandum of settlement, and preparing and reaching ratification.
Note Taking
This one day course will provide stewards, negotiating committee members and interested members better skills in taking notes. Whether you are creating notes from a workplace meeting, something for yourself or are on a bargaining committee, you will examine for what purpose the notes are needed, who will be reading or using the notes and learn tips, tricks and ways to make your notes more useful, coherent and cohesive.
Financial Skills
In this one-and-a-half-day course, you will be provided with options and practical tips to achieve your financial goals. The course covers topics such as understanding your pay stub, budgeting and money goals, banking, investment options, building credit, debt load, and consumerism.
Personal Development Courses
Red Cross First Aid. Prepare for Life. TM
Red Cross Standard First Aid & CPR/AED “C”
This is a two day course that will certify participants to Standard First Aid & CPR/AED Level “C” for three years from completion of the course. It is a Red Cross course that is also recognized by Saskatchewan Occupational Health and Safety. A certificate will be issued to successful participants verifying certification for three years from the date of course. Participants will need to pay for this course in advance and book their own time off work.
Red Cross Standard First Aid & CPR/AED “C” Recertification
This is a half-day recertification course that, once completed, will recertify participants for a further three years at the First Aid & SPR/AED “C” level of training. You MUST provide proof of current Red Cross certification to the instructor at the start of class (original certificate or photocopy of original only) as well as bring your course manual. Participants will need to pay for this course in advance and book their own time off work.
Red Cross Babysitter Course
This is a two day course for members children and their friends, age 11 and over, who wish to be certified as a Red Cross Babysitter. The course takes place from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. daily with a one-hour lunch break.
Generations Course
This course brings together members from different generations and exposes the similarities and differences between them. Generations explored include Traditionalists, Baby Boomers, Generation Xers, and Millenials. This course also explores membership demographics and promotes inter-generational communication.
COURSE SCHEDULE
Members who are interested in any of the following courses should contact the Union office at . We will schedule a course as soon as there are enough participants. Once a course has been scheduled, members will be contacted with particulars and locations for each course.
*Please note that for all courses, if you register early, you will be contacted NO EARLIER than 1 month prior to the course of your confirmation and location details.
Your choice – The courses you want to take, held in your area.
If you are interested in taking part in the Red Cross First Aid in areas not scheduled please contact the Education & Training Centre.
Once there is sufficient interest for a class, we will do our best to arrange for the course to be held in your area. Your interest in these courses will be followed up with potential course details.
Free online learning for you and your family brought to you by UFCW. For further information or to register, go to webcampusmenu.ufcw.ca or call toll free at 1.866.865.0202.
Labour Education – Shop Steward and Related Courses
Note: for all the below courses, the local will secure leaves of absence from your employer as well as pay your lost wages/approved expenses as applicable. There is no registration fee for any of the labour education courses.
Please call or email to book your spot in the next class.
Shop Steward Level I
Two-day course – starts at 9:30 a.m. daily
Shop Steward Level II
Three-day course – starts 9:30 a.m. daily
Collective Bargaining for Committee Members
Two-day course – starts at 9:30 a.m. daily
Notetaking
One-day course – starts at 9:30 a.m.
Personal Development Courses
Red Cross Standard First Aid & CPR/AED “C”
Two-day course – Starts at 9:30 a.m. daily
Bring a friend – this course is open to UFCW members, their family and friends!
Member Cost (to be paid in advance of class): $50, or $30 if your employer pays into the Education Fund.
Registration should take place at least two weeks prior to the start date of the class. Participants will need to pay for this course in advance and book their own time off work.
Red Cross CPR/AED “C” Recertification
1/2 day course (9 a.m. – 1 p.m.)
Member Cost (to be paid in advance of class): $25, or $15 if your employer pays into the Education Fund.
Registration should take place at least two weeks prior to the start date of the class. Participants will need to pay for this course in advance and book their own time off work.
COURSE POLICY & REGISTRATION
Local 1400 Education & Training Centre will schedule courses in all centres with 200 or more members. In smaller centres, we will schedule classes if enough members request one.
If you live in a smaller centre and would like to take a course, please call the Saskatoon office or email Lucy stating the course you are interested in, where you live and if there is a specific day(s) that would be best for you to take the course.
Members must pay fees at the time of registration.
Shop Steward courses and other union specific training do not require a registration fee.
How to Register for Courses (and FAQ’s)
Who can register for the courses?
Any member of UFCW Local 1400 and their immediate family (spouse, children, or sibling).
What is the cost?
For members whose employer contributes to the Education Fund (Westfair, Canada Safeway, Great West Brewery, and all Security company members in Saskatchewan), the course costs will be reduced, please see course schedule page.
How to register:
Print and fill out a Registration Form, include course fee, and mail to the address below.
UFCW Local 1400
Education Department
1526 Fletcher Road
Saskatoon, SK S7M 5M1
Saskatoon members may drop in to the office (address above), fill out a registration form and pay for the course.
Be sure to register before the closing registration date and include the course fee.
Note: You are responsible for booking your own time off to attend all classes except for classes listed as “Shop Steward and Related Courses”. Also, the union does not reimburse lost wages or mileage (subject to Local 1400 policies) for these classes except for classes listed as “Shop Steward and Related Courses”.
For more information please call the union office at 306.384.5787 or toll free 1.800.274.4036 (outside Saskatoon).