Unifor 5555 has a number of Standing Committees active within our Local. Any member is welcome to join whichever committee aligns with their interests. For more information about the various committees themselves, visit their pages. If you are interested in joining one of the committees, either contact the Chair of the committee, or info@unifor5555.ca.
The Education Committee facilitates the numerous education opportunities available for our members.
Committee Members
Sarah-kai Antanaitis
Mirian DeLeon
Emly Heikoop
Judy Leullier
Date & Courses Offered
March 6 – 11, 2022 Registration Deadline: Please Submit ASAP
Health & Safety Collective Bargaining Conflict Resolution
March 13 – 18, 2022 Registration Deadline: Please Submit ASAP
Grievance Handling & Workplace Leadership Human Rights
Intro to WSIB: Compensation for Ontario Workers
Local Executive Board Training (LUEB) (Pre-requisite: must currently hold an elected or appointed position on your Local Union Executive Board (President, VP, Fin. Sec., Rec. Sec., Trustee, Sergeant-at-Arms, Guide, Retired Workers Chapter, Member at Large (if they have a vote)
March 27 – April 1, 2022 Registration Deadline: February 11, 2022 Worker Referral Assistance Program (WRAP) – Level 1 (Level 2: June 19-24) Aboriginal & Workers of Colour Leadership Program – Week 1
Accident & Incident Investigation for Workplace Health & Safety Representatives
April 3 – 8, 2022 Registration Deadline: February 18, 2022
Women’s Advocate Basic Training 40 hr
(Bargained Advocates Only – Call for enrolment and application)
Grievance Handling & Workplace Leadership (Women’s Program)
April 24 – 29, 2022 Registration Deadline: March 11, 2022
Toxic Substances in the Workplace Grievance Handling & Workplace Leadership Young Worker Activist
WSIB Appeals (Workplace Safety & Insurance Board ON Only)
(Pre-requisite: Compensation for Ontario Workers)
Date & Courses Offered
May 1 – 6, 2022 Registration Deadline: March 25, 2022
Stress: The Workplace Hazard Community Environment Women in Leadership
May 29 – June 3, 2022 Registration Deadline: April 15, 2022
Collective Bargaining Human Rights Health & Safety
Turtle Island: A First Peoples Awareness for Union Activists and Leaders
June 12 – 17, 2022 Registration Deadline: April 29, 2022
Local Executive Board Training (LUEB) (Pre-requisite: must currently hold an elected or appointed position on your Local Union Executive Board (President, VP, Fin. Sec., Rec. Sec., Trustee, Sergeant-at-Arms, Guide, Retired Workers Chapter, Member at Large (if they have a vote)
June 19 – 24, 2022 Registration Deadline: May 6, 2022
Worker Referral Assistance Program (WRAP) – Level 2
(Pre-requisite WRAP Level 1)
Grievance Handling & Workplace Leadership
Harassment Investigation (Pre-requisite: 40 hour Human Rights Training)
Aboriginal & Workers of Colour Leadership Program – Week 2
(Pre-requisite: AWOC – Week 1)
June 26 – 30, 2022 Registration Deadline: May 13, 2022
Planning For Your Future/Pre-Retirement Course (4 Days)
Child Care Registration – Due to COVID-19 safety protocols we are unfortunately not offering childcare at this time.
Conference registrations are to be sent to the Front Desk on the Centre Registration form – not PEL application forms. PEL funds are not used for Conferences – PEL courses only.
** Courses are occasionally subject to change. Please check the website to ensure you have the most up-to-date schedule** uniforeducation.org
Questions about the schedule? Please contact pel@unifor.org
(1) 5555 Internal PEL application
(2) National PEL application form
Submit via email attachment to registration@unifor5555.ca or fax to 905-385-5553 or in hard copy to either union office location (on campus, Gilmour Hall B111 or off campus 86 Hester St.).
Please address to : Unifor Local 5555 Paid Education Leave Selection Committee, Attention: Kim Sardella, Financial Secretary-Treasurer.
Please do not fax your application directly to the Port Elgin Family Education Centre as it will not be accepted or returned to us.
Applications must be received before the internal course application deadline indicated in the attached course schedule.
Please note the internal application deadlines are earlier than those listed on the Unifor National webpage to allow time for our Local’s internal applicant evaluation and approval process.
Also note, before you apply for any Paid Education Leave courses, you must speak to your supervisor to ensure you can be away (released) from your job for the particular week of the course. Your department will be reimbursed for the costs associated (wages & benefits) with your time away while attending the course.