Welcome to UPSE

This is the foundational orientation course for all PEI UPSE members.   It includes history of UPSE; its organizational structure; what UPSE does for you, its members; and your role as a member.  It then outlines collective bargaining, and how the membership is involved in that important process.  The course finishes out the day with an overview of what a union steward’s role is and how to become involved in the union.

Welcome to UPSE is a prerequisite for most PEI UPSE sponsored educational offerings.

Steward Level 1

This is an introductory course for members contemplating becoming a steward in the workplace.  Core steward skills are introduced, identifying concerns, supporting members, proper documentation and records management, the importance of confidentiality.  Collective agreement knowledge, key articles, how to determine if a violation has occurred.  How grievances are handled at UPSE, and most importantly understanding the steward’s role in the workplace, their rights and responsibilities, and how stewards strengthen the workplace for members.  After this course members will have enough information to decide if they want to become a steward or if they want to be active in the union in a different manner.

Prerequisite: Completed Welcome to UPSE

Steward Level 2

This is the hands on knowledge building course to becoming a steward in your workplace.  Deepens skills in representation, grievance identification, conflict resolution and understanding key duties – duty of fair representation and duty to accommodate.  It also emphasizes the steward as an activist and liaison between the workplace and the union.  Once this course has been completed, members will be mentored for a time prior to representing a member on their own.

Prerequisite: Completed Steward Level I and must be elected as a Steward at a local meeting

Advanced Steward

This 2-day packed course is intended for active stewards and covers five separate modules.  Documentation and RIM for Stewards; Confidentiality and Privacy; Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion; Gender Identity and Gender Transition; and Common Collective Agreement Issues.  Attendees will gain important knowledge to bring back to the worksites and other UPSE events.

Prerequisite: Completed Welcome to UPSE, Steward level I and II and must be elected as a Steward at a local meeting

Mental Health and The Workplace

This course focuses on helping members understand and navigate mental health challenges, understand workplace stress, and support themselves and coworkers after difficult or traumatic events.  Emphasizing practical strategies for maintaining good mental health.  There will be presentations from subject matter experts throughout the day.

There is no prerequisite for this course.

Gender Identity & Gender Transition

This new full-day course is designed to strengthen inclusion, understanding and respect across all our workplaces.  Gender Identity & Gender Transition provides members with the knowledge and confidence to support trans coworkers, uphold human rights, and ensure our workplaces are safe and equitable for everyone. There will be presentations from subject matter experts throughout the day.

There is no prerequisite for this course.

PEI UPSE Voting Delegates

All first time convention delegates, or returning delegates who would like a refresher in parliamentary procedure, are invited to attend this course. This course happens annually in the fall before convention.

Prerequisite: Completed Welcome to UPSE

Financial Management

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

This new full-day course strengthens our commitment to fairness, respect, and inclusive workplaces across PEI.  The course will provide members with a practical understanding of DEI principles and the important role unions play in advancing equity for ALL workers.  There will be presentations from subject matter experts throughout the day.

There is no prerequisite for this course.