To: Steward Applicant
From: The Prairie/NWT Region
RE: Basic Steward Training – March 12-13-14, 2020
We are pleased to advise that a Basic Steward Training session is being offered on March 12-14 in Edmonton, Alberta. The training will begin at 8:30 a.m. on Thursday, March 12, 2020 and will conclude at 12:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 14, 2020. The course will be held at the Delta Edmonton Centre Suites Hotel. Accommodations will be provided also at the Delta Edmonton Centre Suites Hotel.
The training session will focus on developing the basic skills and knowledge you need to fulfill your role as a steward. Topics will include an overview of the PIPSC organization, the role of the steward, and the legal framework for labour relations and tools for understanding collective agreements, participating in consultation and providing grievance representation.
We strongly encourage you to register for this training as you cannot be appointed as a steward, nor can you function as a steward, until after you have completed the Basic Steward Training course. It is a necessary prerequisite to the assumption of your union responsibilities and is designed to foster a better understanding and enhancement of your skills in that role.
All course materials will be provided at the session. However, please bring a copy of your collective agreement.
REGISTRATION INFORMATION:
There will not be an online registration for this training. All interested participants must complete the attached registration form and return it to the PIPSC Winnipeg office by email to domelchenko@pipsc.ca or by fax to 204-942-4348 | 1-800-239-9334 by FEBRUARY 7, 2020. You will receive an email confirming that your registration has been accepted, or that you have been placed on the waiting list, if the training has been filled prior to the date of receipt of your registration form. If you are not provided with a response within 48 hours of submission of your registration form, please contact Wendy Onizak by phone at (204) 942-1304 ext. 3320 to ensure that your registration request has been received.
Please note that a maximum of 20 participants will be admitted to the training. If there are more than 20 applicants, vacant spaces will be filled from the waiting list if cancellations occur. The waiting list will remain in effect up to one week prior to the commencement date of this training only and shall not carry over to any future training sessions that have been or are yet to be scheduled.
Please also review the attached Administrative Guidelines as they contain important information relating to your travel, meals, lodging and participation in the training.
Please be advised that travel arrangements can be made once you have received your confirmation email by contacting BCD Travel at 1-866-768-7624. Hotel reservations will be made in your name by the Prairie/NWT office as per the selected nights on your registration form.
- Local stewards may stay overnight with a check-in date of Thursday, March 12, 2020 with a check-out date of Saturday, March 14, 2020.
- Out-of-town stewards will check-in on Wednesday, March 11, 2020 and check out on Saturday, March 14, 2020.
Please keep in mind when registering that all participants are required to attend this course in its entirety. It is recommended that you register early.
If you have any questions regarding this Basic Steward Training and the registration process, please contact Prashila Chand at (780) 428-1347 or 1-800-661-3939, extension 3421 or pchand@pipsc.ca or Wendy Onizak at (204) 942-1304 or 1-800-665-0094, extension 3420 or domelchenko@pipsc.ca
We look forward to meeting and working with you.
Sincerely,
Ernie McLean
Manager, Prairie/NWT Region
Nancy McCune
Director, Prairie/NWT Region
Robert Trudeau
Chair, Prairie/NWT Region Training Committee
ADMINISTRATIVE GUIDELINES
PRAIRIE/NWT BASIC STEWARD TRAINING
March 12 - 14, 2020
Delta Edmonton Centre Suites Hotel
10222 102 St NW, Edmonton, Alberta
TRANSPORTATION
Stewards can claim the lesser of the actual kilometres driven or the rate of $700.00,* which is based on Air Canada Flight Passes and ground transportation.
Compensatory salary and meal expenses will be reimbursed based on travel by plane.
*This is based on the PIPSC Travel Policy Schedule A, a most current version of which can be found at the following link: https://www.pipsc.ca/about/governance/policies/travel-policy
Any car rental requests require pre-approval.
Once you have been confirmed by e-mail and you require air travel arrangements only, please call BCD Travel in Ottawa at 1.866.768.7624 or by e-mail at pipsc@bcdtravel.com to reserve your flights. You will be asked for your Aeroplan number if you are booking on an Air Canada flight.
If you have any questions about the PIPSC Travel Policy, please inquire prior to travelling.
Additional costs due to driving (rather than flying), such as meals, time missed from work and accommodation incurred during transit, will be at the responsibility of the traveller. Refer to the PIPSC Travel Policy available on our website at: www.pipsc.ca for further information.
ACCOMMODATION
The meeting and hotel coordinates are:
Delta Edmonton Centre Suites Hotel
10222 102 St NW
Edmonton, AB T5J 4C5
Phone: (780) 429-3900
It is expected that the majority of participants will be able to travel on Wednesday in order to get to the training.
Participants from outside the Edmonton area are entitled to accommodation on Wednesday evening, upon request.
Participants who reside outside of the Edmonton area, or those who reside outside a 16 km radius, but within a normal commute from downtown Edmonton, will be provided accommodation for Thursday and Friday evening, upon request.
Local participants within a 16 km radius from the hotel will be provided accommodation for Thursday and Friday night, upon request.
Those participants who cannot arrive home by 8:00 p.m. on Saturday night travelling by the most direct route, including a one hour meal stop, are entitled to accommodation upon request. Reminder – Training will be completed by 12:00 pm on Saturday, March 14, 2020.
The Prairie/NWT office will be solely responsible for booking your room nights at the hotel, which will occur once you receive the confirmation e-mail. The room rate is based on single or double occupancy. If you wish to bring your spouse and/or child/children, please inform us on your registration form.
The cost of the hotel will be paid by the Institute through a master account. All incidental expenses are to be paid by the member. Rooms will be guaranteed to the Institute for late arrival. Please be aware that PIPSC will be charged in full for any rooms cancelled after February 10, 2020, regardless of whether or not they are used. We ask that you be mindful of this fact when completing your registration form, as we have had to pay for rooms after individuals decide to leave early. Should you have to cancel the hotel guest room at the last moment, please contact the hotel directly 48 hours prior to your arrival date to cancel your booking. For your registration cancelation, notify Prashila Chand, Office Administrator at (780) 428-1347 or 1-800-661-3939, extension 3421 or pchand@pipsc.ca or Wendy Onizak at (204) 942-1304 or 1-800-665-0094, extension 3420 or domelchenko@pipsc.ca
Proof of cancellation must include the cancellation number and the name of the hotel agent that accepted your call. Failure to do so may result in “no show” billing from the hotel. The institute may wish to pay the charges in order to maintain good relations with the hotel. In that case, the cost will be recovered from the member. Any extra services charged to the room are to be paid by the member.
PARKING
Parking will be provided at the hotel. Please note this amount will be charged to your bill upon check-out and can be submitted with your expense claim to the Institute. PIPSC will reimburse parking for one vehicle only. If you do not have a hotel reservation and require parking, please note that payment will be required upon arrival at the hotel. You will be able to submit this expenditure with your expense claim to the Institute.
MEALS
Breakfast and lunch will be provided on Thursday and Friday. Breakfast only will be provided on Saturday.
Note: Meal allowances will not be paid for breakfast and lunch on Thursday and Friday, and for breakfast on Saturday morning.
COMPENSATION FOR LEAVE
Institute policy allows for compensating participants who use vacation, compensatory leave or leave without pay for attendance at training sessions. Compensation is also allowed when such leave is required to travel to the course. The participant must provide a completed employer's leave form authorizing the leave and complete a PIPSC Compensatory Salary Claim Form available on the PIPSC website.
Salary compensation will be provided for up to two (2) days on Thursday and Friday, including reasonable travel time, except in the case of shift workers who will be reimbursed for appropriate shifts due to their attendance at the training. Reasonable travel time is defined as the amount of time that it takes to get from your home or work to the training location by the most direct route with no stops.
OTHER
Dependent, child or other care expenses, will be paid by the Institute where receipts are provided and in accordance with PIPSC policy.
If, for any reason, you expect to deviate from the guidelines set out in this document, you must notify us in advance.
Note: Please do not hesitate to contact Prashila Chand, Office Administrator, Prairie/NWT Regional Office by phone at 780 428-1347 or 1-800-661-3939, extension 3421 or pchand@pipsc.ca or Wendy Onizak at 204-942-1304 or 1-800-665-0094, extension 3420 or domelchenko@pipsc.ca should you require further information regarding this training activity.