199 Education Committee

The Education Committee works with the Executive Board and the National union to evaluate the needs of the membership and schedule course to meet these needs. If you would like to learn more about the different educational opportunities that are available to you, open the tabs on the left or contact the committee.

Chair, Melodie Zarlenga mel.zarlenga@hotmail.com or 905 359-1432
Vice Chair, Joe Petriello joe.petriello@hotmail.com or 905 931-9840
Secretary, Mike Kizul Mikekizul@gmail.com
Executive Liaison Rob Acker

1 Day Courses

Unifor Local 199 can schedule a variety of 1 day courses at the Union Hall. Members from all units are eligible to attend. These courses are scheduled on a Saturday. There is no cost to attend course kits and a lunch will be provided.

Collective Bargaining
Grievance Handling
Health & Safety
Human Rights
Public Speaking
Women Activist

3 Day Courses

The local Union schedules several three-day courses, each year, these courses are designed to provide union leadership and activists with the tools necessary to represent our members.

Courses are scheduled at the Union Hall
Classes are held during regular working hours 8:30 am – 4:00pm
Classes are on Thursday, Friday & Saturday,
Lost time will be paid for regular scheduled hours,Thursday and Friday, however members must attend all three days to qualify.
The National Union covers the cost of lunches, classrooms, course materials and Discussion Leaders.

There are 5 different 3-Day courses available,

Collective Bargaining
Grievance Handling/Workplace Leadership\
Human Rights are Workers Rights
Local Union Finances
Workers’ Compensation
Local 199 can schedule three one day programs back to back..

For a complete course listing and description click here.

To request a the local schedule a 3-day program contact Peter Scott @ 905-682-2611 ext 238

One Week Courses

Our members are also eligible to apply for course at the Family Education Centre in Port Elgin, these residential programs offer members a unique educational experience. Members travel to Port Elgin and stay at the Family Education Centre for five days. Expenses including lost time and travel is paid by a negotiated paid education leave (PEL) fund.

Family Education / Vacation

Since the early 1970’s our Union has offered a Family Education Program for members and their families. The program takes place during the summer at the Unifor Family Education Centre in Port Elgin, Ontario. A call letter is sent to all Unifor locals in January, inviting members to apply. If selected by the local/national union to attend, the member agrees to give up their vacation time and the national union covers costs for meals and accommodations at the Unifor Family Education Centre.

Programs are designed to accommodate different age brackets. Preteens participate in recreational programs run by fully-trained child care workers and counselors. Teenagers participate in a specially-designed program which recognizes their unique interests but also incorporates the issues of social unionism in their curriculum. Adults, both members and their spouse/partner, combine learning and recreational activities and come away from the program with a better understanding of how to integrate trade unionism and social activism in the life of the family and community.

Every Unifor member, and their immediate family members, including dependent children up to 18 years of age, are eligible to attend the Family Education Program.

Click HERE for a printable copy of the 2018 application form.

Click HERE for a printable 8 1/2 x 14″ poster to display in your workplace.

For more information about applying to attend the Family Education Summer Program, contact your Local Union Executive or Education Committee.

McMaster Labour Studies

Unifor-McMaster Labour Studies Certificate Program courses are designed specifically for Unifor members who want to learn about unions and social issues that impact working class people. Courses are designed by experts in their field and are usually offered on weeknights at the union hall. Some courses are offered as self-study/self-paced where you would complete assignments at home or online.

These courses play an important role in building a knowledgeable membership and future workplace leadership. Whether you are looking for career advancement, job change, working toward a degree or interested in learning more about the world around you, take a look at some upcoming courses which are posted below.