Education@UNA

Visit education.una.ca for online resources and tutorials.

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Workshops

Any UNA member who would like to become more knowledgeable and engaged can get a head start through UNA’s educational offerings, which provide members with a wealth of information, a space for discussion, and activity-based learning. Members can view the workshop schedule on the events calendar or in UNA's Data Management System (DMS) under "Events." Members who have activated their UNAnet accounts can register for workshops in DMS. Please contact events@una.ca with any questions or for assistance.

For All UNA Members

Know Your Rights

In this workshop, UNA members will learn about the structure and role of their union, how to identify types of workplace concerns, and what problem-solving processes are available. Through a combination of large and small group discussion, activities, and scenarios, participants will gain knowledge and confidence to address issues at work. This workshop is designed for new or newly-engaged UNA members. This is a full-day workshop and is provincially funded for all UNA members who have not previously taken it.

Workplace Safety & Abuse

(Formerly Dealing With Abuse.) In this workshop, UNA members will learn about their Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S) rights, reporting OH&S concerns, and the appropriate actions to take when encountering an unsafe work environment. Through discussions, activities, and scenarios, participants will gain knowledge of the various hazards they may encounter at work, how to advocate for a safer workplace, and what tools are available to them and their coworkers. In particular, this workshop will look at workplace violence and harassment and how to respond. This is a full-day workshop and is provincially funded for all UNA members who have not previously taken it or the Dealing With Abuse workshop.

Intro to PRC

In this workshop, members will learn about each step of the PRC process including identification of concerns, the recommended best practices at each step, and what happens at and beyond their Local PRC Committee. Participants will develop the knowledge and skills to initiate the Professional Responsibility Concern (PRC) process and to engage confidently and collaboratively with management and local representatives to facilitate resolution.This is a full-day workshop and is provincially funded for all UNA members who have not previously taken either the Intro to PRC workshop or the former PRC workshop.

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For Unit/Office Representatives & Local Executives

Engagement & Support

In this workshop, Unit/Office Representatives and Local Executive members will come together to develop their practices in membership outreach, engagement, and support. Through large and small group discussions and activities, participants will identify ways to improve member outreach, to overcome barriers to participation, and to engage members in their Local. Participants will also identify ways to support members through workplace concerns. This is a full-day workshop and is provincially funded for Unit/Office Representatives and Local Executives who have not previously taken it.

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For Committee Members & Local Executives

PRC Committee Workshop

In this workshop, Local Executives or Local PRC Committee representatives will learn in detail about each step of the PRC process, including the recommended best practices at each step, the role and responsibilities of a UNA PRC Committee member, and how to conduct a PRC committee meeting. Participants will develop the knowledge and skills to support members who report Professional Responsibility Concerns (PRCs) and to engage confidently and collaboratively with management representatives to work towards resolution. This is a full-day workshop and is provincially funded for PRC Committee members and Local Executives who have not previously taken this version (introduced Jan 2024).

OH&S Committee Basic

This workshop provides Occupational Health and Safety Committee members and Local Executives with the basic skills they need to participate effectively in their OH&S Committee. Participants will develop familiarity with the OH&S Article in their Collective Agreement, the four fundamental OH&S rights, and the structure and role of the OH&S Committee. Through discussions and activities, participants will practice the skills to raise safety concerns and make recommendations. This is a full-day workshop and is provincially funded for OH&S Committee members and Local Executives who have not previously taken it.

OH&S Committee Advanced

In this workshop, Occupational Health and Safety Committee members and Local Executives will build upon their knowledge from the OH&S Basic workshop and develop a further understanding of the Committee’s role. Participants will explore the OH&S Act, Regulation, and Code and will discuss hazard assessments, site inspections, and psychological health and safety. This is a full-day workshop and is provincially funded for OH&S Committee members and Local Executives who have not previously taken it. 

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For Local Executives

Local Executives are encouraged to attend UNA's other workshop offerings.

How to Run a Local (HTRL) - Administration

In this workshop, Local Executives will learn the key components of a functioning Local, including strategic planning, meeting best-practices, and Executive roles and responsibilities. Please ensure you have a UNAnet account and can access your Local’s information on DMS through the "Local Admin" menu item. This is a full-day workshop and is provincially funded for Local Executives who have not previously taken it.

How to Run a Local (HTRL) - Finance

In this workshop, Local Executives (not just the Treasurer!) will learn about the main tasks in managing Local finances including budgeting, making payments, and reviewing financial statements. Please ensure you have a UNAnet account and can access your Local’s financial information on DMS through the "Local Admin" menu item. This is a full-day workshop and is provincially funded for Local Executives who have not previously taken it. For Local Execs who have attended this workshop already but need a refresher at budget time, look for our short budget Q&A sessions in early Fall.

How to Run a Local (HTRL) - Labour Relations

In this workshop, Local Executives will develop a deeper understanding of investigation meetings and discipline as well as the dispute resolution and Duty to Accommodate processes. Please ensure you have access to your collective agreement via the UNA app, UNA website, or in a paper copy. This is a full-day workshop and is provincially funded for Local Executives who have not previously taken it.

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Registration & Attendance

You must be a UNA member to attend UNA provincial workshops. Once you have a valid UNA membership card, activate your UNAnet account through the UNAnet button on the website or via the UNA mobile app. The Events tab in UNA’s Data Management System (DMS - part of UNAnet) provides a way for members to register for workshops. Members are expected to register in workshops closest to their residence for in-person events (not applicable for online education). Members can add themselves to the waitlist for an at-capacity workshop in DMS.

Please check DMS Events for the most up-to-date workshop schedule. For registration questions, please contact events@una.ca.

Any Local Executive member can register members of their Local into workshops by navigating to Local Admin -> Events in DMS.

Members can attend workshops on scheduled work days or on days off. After registering to attend on a scheduled workday (or with an abutting evening or night shift), members will need to request and be approved for a union leave of absence (LOA). A request for a union LOA should first be made on DMS, and then submitted to your employer.

Workshop Funding

For eligible members attending provincially funded workshops: Provincial funding includes salary replacement and meals. Mileage and accommodation will be provided as required for out-of-town participants travelling to in-person workshops. Direct billing for hotel rooms for UNA workshops is not available. The member will be responsible for paying for their room and will then be reimbursed as per UNA policy. For more information on accessing funding (through Union Leave and/or Expense Claims), click here.

What You Need

Please have your charged smartphone or tablet available and download the United Nurses of Alberta mobile app, if possible. For online workshops, ensure you have a strong internet connection and the ability to access Zoom. Any other necessary materials will be provided.