North America’s largest Labour school teaches how to use social activism for good

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18 February 2015

Class of union counsellors in the Critical Incident Stress course at CLC Winter School

“I just want to make a difference and help people,” said Andrew Tham, a Canada Post CUPW member. He took the Critical Incident Stress course recently offered at the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC) 2015 Harrison Winter School for union members. Andrew was one of 1,100 union members who attended the 41st annual Winter School. 110 instructors and special guest speakers participate in nearly 50 different courses over an intensive five-week period. The courses cover a wide range of topics from Critical Incident Stress to collective bargaining, using modern tools to communicate with members, women in leadership, young workers in action, facing management and occupational health and safety. The course that Andrew took, Critical Incident Stress, is as part of the CLC-United Way Union Counsellors training program. The peer-to-peer early intervention and prevention program connects workers who have experienced personal or workplace challenges with appropriate resources. This year, 19 union counsellors learned how they can better support their coworkers who have been affected by a critical incident. The CLC Winter School is the largest Labour school in North America. This year, attendees came from all over BC and the Yukon to participate, with some coming from across Canada. “Bringing everyone together at the CLC Winter School is very valuable,” said Carlos Carvalho, United Way Labour staff representative who co-taught Critical Incident Stress with Dileep Athaide. “They come and learn and go back to their workplaces knowing they have this support network of other union counsellors that they can lean on. Workers receive support from union counsellors and union counsellors receive support from fellow union counsellors. Working together to strengthen everyone—that’s exactly what makes the Labour movement so effective and strong.” For Andrew, it’s all about helping that individual who needs it. “I’m excited to learn more tools to help my coworkers. Because someone has to care and make the time.” CLC Winter School ran from January 18 to February 20, 2015. For more information about Labour education and upcoming offerings, visit http://www.canadianlabour.ca/labour-education.

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