April 26 - May 1, 2026
EARLY BIRD FEE! $2,150 Register before March 15, 2026 (payment must be received by March 20)
$2,350 after March 16, 2026 (payment must be received by April 17)
Rates are based on one CUPE member per room. Delegates do not share guestrooms.
English
Classroom
CUPE/SCFP
5 workshop series are being offered. Choose ONE of the following topics for the entire week:
(a) Health and Safety
(b) Local Executive Member Bootcamp
(c) Advanced Bargaining
(d) Stewarding Basics
(e) Communicating CUPE
Maximum 20 participants per workshop.
From understanding Alberta’s Health and Safety legislation, roles of committees, incident investigations and everything members need to know about being an effective health and safety advocate in their workplace. Covers the following workshops: o Health and Safety - An Introduction (9hr) o Health and Safety – Basics of Incident Investigations (3hr) o Health and Safety – Identifying and Documenting Hazards (3hr) o Health and Safety – Law and Orders (3hr) o Health and Safety – Making Committees Work (3hr) o Health and Safety – Recommendations and Notetaking (3hr) o Health and Safety – Violence Prevention (3hr) o Health and Safety – Workload and Overwork (3hr) You will be provided with a binder and resource kit on day 1.
Health and Safety - An Introduction
April 27 (9:00am) - 28, 2026 (12:00pm)
This course serves as an introduction into the world of health and safety and explores different basic concepts such as: • Identification of hazards; • Hierarchy of controls; • The basic role of health and safety committees; • Basics on the right to refuse. NOTE: See more Health and Safety courses in the Health and Safety Learning Series.
HS - Basics of Incident Investigations
Apr 28, 2026 (1:00pm-4:00pm (Mountain))
Learn how to identify root causes of workplace incidents, injuries, and diseases, common routes of entry of toxic substances, and your role in the investigation process. NOTE: Please bring your binder and Health and Safety Committee Resource Kit.
HS - Identifying and Documenting Hazards
Apr 29, 2026 (9:00am-12:00pm (Mountain))
In this module, you will learn techniques for identifying hazards, such as body maps, surveys and inspections. You will also develop a methodology for dealing with the hazards you find. NOTE: Please bring your binder and Health and Safety Committee Resource Kit.
HS - Law and Orders
Apr 29, 2026 (1:00pm-4:00pm (Mountain))
This module covers the basic origins of health and safety law, how to find, read and interpret relevant section of law and highlights some of the more important aspects of the specific health and safety law that applies to you. NOTE: Please bring your binder and Health and Safety Committee Resource Kit.
HS - Making Committees Work
Apr 30, 2026 (9:00am-12:00pm (Mountain))
This module explores the structure, role and function of health and safety committees, their strengths and limitations, and how they can best work within the legislative framework, and within our union. NOTE: Please bring your binder and Health and Safety Committee Resource Kit.
HS - Recommendations and notetaking
Apr 30, 2026 (1:00pm-4:00pm (Mountain))
Learn how to takes notes at committee meetings and prepare recommendations. NOTE: Please bring your binder and Health and Safety Committee Resource Kit.
HS - Violence Prevention
May 1, 2026 (9:00am-10:30am (Mountain))
This module examines the risk factors that lead to violence in the workplace, and the employer’s obligations to prevent workers from being exposed to and injured by violence while at work. We examine relevant health and safety law, and start to develop strategies to make our workplaces safer. NOTE: Please bring your binder and Health and Safety Committee Resource Kit.
HS - Workload and Overwork
May 1, 2026 (10:30am-12:00pm (Mountain))
As employers pull back resources, they expect workers to do more with less. This module will examine workload, the cause and effects of overwork, and strategies to overcome the ever increasing workload that is damaging not just our health at work, but the relationship we have outside of work. NOTE: Please bring your binder and Health and Safety Committee Resource Kit.
This workshop is for local executive members or members who would like to be on their executive. It will encompass themes of leadership and conflict management while also building hard skills in financial management, parliamentary procedure and inclusive unions. Covers the following workshops: o LET Leadership Essentials (9 hrs) o LET Parliamentary Procedure (9hrs) o LET Financial Essentials (6 hrs) o LET Essentials for Inclusive Unions (6 hrs)
LET - Leadership Essentials
April 27 (9:00am) - 28, 2026 (12:00pm)
Who am I as a leader? Who are we as a local union? How do we fit into the broader movement? Learn how to use the power of your elected position to build power and strengthen solidarity in the union, in the labour movement and in our communities.
LET - Parliamentary Procedure
April 28 (1:00pm) - 29, 2026 (4:00pm)
This workshop is about following rules of order when chairing union meetings. Learn about the role of the chair and the different elements (motions, amendments, points of order, etc.). Get a chance to put the learning into practice. NOTE: Please bring a copy of your local bylaws to the workshop.
LET - Financial Essentials
Apr 30, 2026 (9:00am-4:00pm (Mountain))
This workshop is for all members in an elected position within the local union. Whether you are a trustee or a member of the executive, learning about the basics of the local union’s finances is a priority. In this workshop, you will learn about your duties regarding the finances of the union, budgeting and how to be transparent and accountable to members. NOTE: This workshop is a pre-requisite for Secretary-Treasurers and Trustees wishing to take LET - Financial Officers.
LET - Essentials for Inclusive Unions
May 1, 2026 (9:00am-12:00pm (Mountain))
As activists in our unions, we often ask why members are not more involved. This workshop asks a different question: Who is involved and who isn't and what might be some reasons why? How might our unconscious biases contribute to this? How can we represent members in a way that invites those on the margins to get involved and to see the union as place where they want to make a difference?
Members who take this workshop will walk through every aspect of bargaining from the preparation, working as a team, communication with members, strategies at the table and preparing for job action. This course has been customized with Alberta labour code information and experiences. Covers the following workshops: o Bargaining – At the bargaining table (12hr modification) o Bargaining – How bargaining works (3 hr) o Bargaining - Notetaking for bargaining (3hr) o Bargaining – Mobilizing for Bargaining (6hr)
BARG - At the Bargaining Table
April 27 (9:00am) - 28, 2026 (5:00pm)
This workshop gives bargaining committee members the training they need, when they need it, so they can get the best deal possible for their members. It is delivered by the national servicing rep and happens in stages throughout negotiations. The workshop explores how to work effectively in caucus, as well as at the bargaining table. NOTE: This workshop is for bargaining committee members.
BARG - How Bargaining Works
Apr 29, 2026 (9:00am-12:00pm (Mountain))
This module can be added to other parts of the Bargaining Education Program. It covers the legal framework for collective bargaining and where we get our power as a union.
BARG - Notetaking for bargaining
Apr 29, 2026 (1:00pm-4:00pm (Mountain))
Bargaining notes are critical – during bargaining and when new language is being implemented after bargaining has ended. Learn how to read the room, understand body language, take good notes, and store notes after bargaining. NOTE: This workshop is for bargaining committee members.
BARG - Mobilizing for Bargaining
Apr 30, 2026 (9:00am-4:00pm (Mountain))
In this workshop, members of local Mobilization Committees look at effective ways to engage members before bargaining begins, and throughout the bargaining process. NOTE: This workshop is for the Mobilization Committee.
This course is for new stewards or members who want to become stewards. This course will walk you through the essential principles of being a steward with hands on activities to help practise your skills. Covers the following workshops: o Introduction to Stewarding (6hr) o Grievance Handling (3hr) o Notetaking (3hr) o Representing Members in Front of Management (3hr) o Mediating Member to Member Conflict (3 hr) o Understanding Mental Health (3hr) o What Stewards need to Know About Bargaining (3hr) o Growing our Mobilizing Power (3hr)
Introduction to Stewarding
Apr 27, 2026 (9:00am-4:00pm (Mountain))
What does a CUPE steward do? If you are a new steward and want to learn how to help CUPE members solve workplace problems, this introductory workshop is for you! In this workshop, you will learn: • investigating workplace problems; • filing a grievance; • meeting with management; • dealing with workplace complaints. NOTE: Please bring a copy of your collective agreement to the workshop.
SLS - Grievance handling
Apr 28, 2026 (9:00am-12:00pm (Mountain))
Share tips and successful practices with other stewards, and learn strategies for handling difficult grievances. NOTE: Please bring your collective agreement and Steward Handbook to the workshop.
SLS - Notetaking
Apr 28, 2026 (1:00pm-4:00pm (Mountain))
Why do I have to take notes? What kind of notes should I take? Are my notes private? Learn answers to important questions like these, and practice notetaking.
SLS - Representing members in front of management
Apr 29, 2026 (9:00am-12:00pm (Mountain))
This module equips stewards to be proactive when meeting with management. Learn tips for effective meetings, and build confidence by practicing meeting situations.
SLS - Mediating member-to-member conflict
Apr 29, 2026 (1:00pm-4:00pm (Mountain))
Practice coaching members who are in conflict with other members, and work with a four-step approach to basic mediation.
SLS - Understanding mental health
Apr 30, 2026 (9:00am-12:00pm (Mountain))
Explore the steward’s role in supporting and representing members dealing with mental health issues. Learn how to challenge stigma, and how to approach a conversation with a member about a possible mental health issue.
SLS - What stewards need to know about bargaining
Apr 30, 2026 (1:00pm-4:00pm (Mountain))
Learn about the different steps in the bargaining process, the responsibilities of different activists throughout bargaining, and the role during bargaining.
SLS - Growing our mobilizing power
May 1, 2026 (9:00am-12:00pm (Mountain))
Stewards can play a key role when the union needs to mobilize our members – whether it’s to support the bargaining committee, or stop the employer’s attempt to contract out our work. Learn basic mobilization theory and explore how stewards can tackle workplace problems in ways that engage more members and build the union’s power.
This locally developed training will assist you in getting the message out and getting members engaged. Members who take this course will gain skills to make a communications plan for their Local and investigate communications strategies that work.
Communicating CUPE
April 27 (9:00am) - May 1, 2026 (1:00pm)
Getting the message out and getting members engaged. Members who take this course will gain skills to make a communications plan for their Local and investigate communication strategies that work.
Mar 26, 2026
Coast Canmore Hotel & Conference Centre
511 Bow Valley Trail
Canmore, Alberta
(map)
94
If you need to cancel, email Monica Zeniuk, mzeniuk@cupe.ca before 3pm Thursday March 26, 2026.
Due to contractual obligations with the hotel, after March 27, 2026 no refunds will be given should you need to cancel for any reason.
In response to the health concerns of our members and staff, CUPE has implemented a Scent-Free Policy at all of our workshops. Scented products such as hair spray, perfume and deodorant can trigger reactions such as respiratory distress and headaches. Facilitators and participants are asked to refrain from using scented products while attending our workshops and meetings. Thank you for your cooperation.
Monica Zeniuk
mzeniuk@cupe.ca