Article VI of the CUPE Constitution deals with representation at conventions as follows:
“6.4 Representation at Convention shall be:
Local Unions:
| Up to 100 members | 1 delegate |
| 101 to 200 members | 2 delegates |
| 201 to 500 members | 3 delegates |
| 501 to 1000 members | 4 delegates |
| 1001 to 1500 members | 5 delegates |
| 1501 to 2000 members | 6 delegates |
| 2001 to 2500 members | 7 delegates |
| 2501 to 3000 members | 8 delegates |
| for each additional 500 members or portion thereof | 1 additional delegate |
| Provincial Divisions | 1 delegate |
| District Councils | 1 delegate |
| Service Divisions | 1 delegate |
| Provincial Councils of Unions | 1 delegate |
| Councils of Unions | 1 delegate |
6.5 Representation at Conventions shall be based on the paid-up membership, including Rand Formula payees, on the average number of members of the last twelve (12) months before the convention call is sent out.
6.6 Any chartered organization entitled to representation at Convention shall also be entitled to one alternate delegate. An alternate delegate shall only be permitted on the floor of the Convention while replacing a delegate from the same chartered organization and while in possession of that delegates badge.
6.7 In the case of Local Unions chartered after the end of the previous fiscal year in the case of regular Conventions, or subsequent to the issue of the convention call in the case of Special Conventions, and in the case of recently transferred Local Unions or other special circumstances, the Credentials Committee shall be empowered to accept credentials on the recommendation of the National Executive Board. This information shall then be given to the Convention for final approval. No organization, in arrears for two (2) or more months, will be allowed representation to the National Convention or conventions at any other level of the Canadian Union of Public Employees.
6.8 (a) No person shall be recognized as a delegate who is not a member in good standing of his/her chartered Local, or the District Council, Provincial Division, Service Division, or Council of Unions to which the Local is affiliated. To be recognized as a delegate, full-time elected officer(s) or appointed official(s) of Locals, Councils and Divisions must have been a member in good standing of a Canadian Union of Public Employees Local Union and under the collective agreement of that Local Union at the time of being elected or appointed to office. This provision shall apply equally to the delegates to District Councils, Provincial Divisions and Service Divisions of the Canadian Union of Public Employees.
(b) Members holding Life Membership Cards or Honorary Retiring Cards do not qualify to be delegates under this section.”