Training/education grant of up to $500 for laid-off members

Dear CWA/SCA Canada member:

A layoff can be a devastating blow. When your employer threatens or announces layoffs, your union – CWA/SCA Canada – does everything it can to avert job losses. In many cases, we have been able to find cost savings, through voluntary buyouts or other means, to prevent layoffs. When job cuts are unavoidable, we work to minimize the impact and help those affected find new opportunities.

In early 2009, as the media industry reeled from the effects of the recession, CWA/SCA Canada introduced a program to provide a grant up to $500 for skills training/education to members who were laid off, or took voluntary buyouts to avert a layoff, that year. The program was later extended through 2010 and 2011.

The union executive committee has now voted to keep the program running indefinitely.

If you are affected by a layoff or related buyout, all you need to do to receive the grant is provide proof of payment for a skills training or education course (university, community college, online, or the like) to Marj Botsford at our national office (email:mbotsford@cwa-scacanada.ca Tel: 1-877-486-4292 Fax 613-820-8188) CWA/SCA Canada 7B – 1050 Baxter Rd Ottawa, ON K2C 3P1.

All claims must be submitted within one year of the actual layoff.

In solidarity,

Martin O’Hanlon
Director, CWA/SCA Canada