To see what is scheduled coming up, please go to the Events section on our home page.
Mentorship Program
The Mentorship Program prepares members to take on leadership roles in the UNW. It expands the knowledge base of the locals and provides an opportunity for members to work at the UNW headquarters.
All Local Officers (LOs) are eligible to take the four week training course. Candidates must have taken UNW or PSAC Shop Steward or Grievance Handling course, and they must be officially nominated by resolution of the local.
Two weeks of training is provided “in house” at UNW headquarters and/or at one of the regional offices. Following the in‐house training, the trainee will spend some time handling 1st level grievances and investigative duties. For information on joining the Mentorship Program, see the program brochure and contact Director of Mentorship Services Ann Marie Thistle by email.
UNW Courses
Please be sure to fill out our Course Evaluation Form after your session!!
Module 1: The UNW, Your Union
This is an introduction to the UNW. The module forms the cornerstone of all UNW courses. It aims at increasing members’ understanding of their Union, what the Union does for them and their rights and obligations as workers and UNW members. Please note: it is NOT advisable to apply for other UNW courses if you have not attended this module or taken the PSAC's Talking Union Basics course. Target: General Membership Duration: 1 Day Topics
- What is a union?
- History of the UNW
- Structure of the UNW
- What services does the UNW provide?
- Where do members’ dues go?
- How to join the UNW
- Benefits of UNW membership
UNW Mentorship ProgramThe Mentorship Program prepares members to take on leadership roles in the UNW. It expand the knowledge base of the locals and provides an opportunity for members to work at the UNW headquarters. All Local Officers (LOs) are eligible to take the four week training course. Candidates must have taken UNW or PSAC Shop Steward or Grievance Handling course, and they must be officially nominated by resolution of the local. Two weeks of training is provided “in house” at UNW headquarters and/or at one of the regional offices. Following the in‐house training, the trainee will spend some time handling 1st level grievances and investigative duties. For information on joining the Mentorship Program, see the Mentorship Brochure and contact Director of Membership Services Ann Marie Thistle by email.
Module 2: Handling Workplace Harassment
- What is workplace harassment?
- UNW anti-harassment policy
- Issues on harassment (legal, human rights, productivity, self-esteem, etc)
- Achieving workplace respect/preventing workplace harassment
- Filing harassment complaints
Module 3: Understanding Your Collective Agreement
- What is a Collective Agreement?
- Ten things to look out for in a Collective Agreement
- Finding information in a Collective Agreement
- Interpreting the Collective Agreement
- Applying the Collective Agreement
Module 4: UNW Shop Steward Course
- The Shop Steward
- Steward’s role in providing information
- Steward’s role in handling first level grievances
- Steward’s role in helping GNWT members with staffing appeals
- Steward’s role in helping GNWT members with job evaluation
- Steward's role during collective bargaining
- How to keep up with union business
- Time off for union business
- 15 things every Steward should know
- Pitfalls to avoid as a Steward
Module 5: Local Executive Training (LET) Program
- A new agenda for Unions: how do our Locals fit in?
- UNW mentorship and PSAC leadership development programmes
- UNW By Laws, Regulations and PSAC Constitution
- What is a Local?
- Roles of Local Executive officers
- All about Local meetings
- Managing the Local’s money and other assets
- Public relations, communication, correspondence and filing
- Locals and the UNW Convention
Module 6: Occupational Health and Safety
- What is occupational health and safety?
- Due diligence: do the right thing, go beyond the legal requirements
- What do the NWT Safety Act and Regulations say about health and safety?
- The 3 employee rights
- How to work in a safe manner
- Health and safety and your collective agreement
- Joint union - management OHS committees
Module 7: Labour Ware
There are 3 formats used to file grievances: 1. write a letter to the employer; 2. use UNW grievance forms which are handed to an employer; 3. send email to an employer using Labour Ware. Labour Ware is the most commonly used method. It is a database system. It enables union representatives and Locals to file grievances using the internet and email as the primary means of communications.
In this module, Locals learn how to file 1st level grievances and how to keep track of the process on Labour Ware up to when grievances are referred for arbitration.
Target : Local Officers, Chief Shop Stewards; other Union representatives responsible for filing grievances
Duration: 2 days
Prerequisites: Basic typing, computer literacy and internet skills are required for this course. You must be nominated by your local to attend.