Procedure & Priority for Taking Customized Courses
When Customized Courses are made available to the membership they will be publicized via various media – this website, e-mail, plant LCD screens, union newsletter and in union meetings. Customized Courses require 3 students, more if the vendor requires it.
A steelworker wishing to enroll in a class must sign up with the Learning Center. Alternatively, you can e-mail or reply to an email advertising the class. If a person signs up for a class and then drops the class, an amount equal to the cost per student for the class will be deducted from their annual maximum dollar amount ($2000) for customized classes unless their seat can be filled by the next person on the list of applicants that is still interested in taking the class.
Classes will be offered on a first come – first served basis until the class is filled. If the class is filled, you will be placed on a waiting list and will be notified if a space becomes available. The deadline for enrolling in a class will be one week prior to the start of the class so that books, class materials, etc. can be obtained before the class starts.
Active working union members are eligible to participate in Institute for Career Development (ICD) programs. For the purposes of ICD programs, the term “active” is applied so that laid-off workers who have not broken pension-accruing service are entitled to participate in ICD programs and initiatives.
Participation in ICD programs cannot extend the employee’s service and will not count as time worked. Retirees and steelworker’s spouses may participate in training if such participation does not prevent an active working member from receiving training and provided that ICD program funds are not used for additional payments for retirees or steelworker’s spouses.
Order of priority for taking classes:
1. Active union members
2. Retirees
3. Spouses
Subject to the following conditions:
A. Retirees and steelworker’s spouses may attend either per person classes or flat rate classes on a standby basis. This means that even if a retiree or spouse is the first person to submit an enrollment form to the ICD Learning Center, they will automatically be assigned to a waiting list until it is determined that the class is not full and an opening exists. Retirees and/or steelworker’s spouses will be notified via e-mail or phone as soon as it is determined that an opening exists. (Normally this should be known a week in advance but can also be the week of the class.)
B. Enrollment in a class is a commitment to attend classes and to pay for required consumable class materials up front, e.g. wood for a woodworking class.
C. For cost per person classes, if the class is not full, retirees and steelworker’s spouses must pay a per person equivalent amount for the class.
D. For flat rate classes, if the class is not full, retirees, steelworker’s spouses may attend free of charge.
Exceptions to any of the guidelines listed above will be handled on a case by case basis by the Local Joint Committee
DROPPED CLASS POLICY
Steelworkers
If a person enrolls in a class and then drops the class, an amount equal to the cost per student for the class will be deducted from their annual maximum dollar amount ($2000) for customized classes unless their seat can be filled by the next person on the list of applicants that is still interested in taking the class.
Spouses
ICD is only allowed to spend money for classes taken by active 1440/2571 union members. However, the Local Joint Committee has agreed to let spouses of active Steelworker union members take classes that are offered on a flat rate or per class basis.
If a spouse enrolls in a class and then drops the class and their seat cannot be filled by another person on the list of applicants that is still interested in taking the class, the employee whose spouse dropped the class will have an amount equal to the cost per student for the class deducted from their annual maximum dollar amount ($2000.00) for customized classes and they must take a class before the spouse will be allowed to take another class.
Retirees
ICD is only allowed to spend money for classes taken by active 1440/2571 union members. However, the Local Joint Committee has agreed to let retired Steelworker union members take classes that are offered on a flat rate or per class basis.
If a Retiree signs up for a class and then drops the class and their seat cannot be filled by another person on the list of applicants for the class, they will not be allowed to take another class until at least 6 months have passed since the end of the class that they dropped.
RESTRICTED CLASSES
Those classified as Arts/Crafts/Music or Health/Fitness/Sports. Your funds are not to exceed $1250 per year from these categories.
Spouses and Retirees
If space is available, there are certain classes that Local 1440 & 2571 Spouses and Retirees are eligible to take. To find out, contact the Learning Center.