March 2 - 5, 2026
All participants MUST register themselves using their own information and email addresses to receive the appropriate credit for completing the courses.
Important Information will be sent from NADC directly to the email address used during registration.
English
Classroom
CUPE/SCFP
NADC 2026 Spring School will be held from March 2-5, 2026 at the Crest Hotel in Prince Rupert, BC.
This school is open to both members of affiliated locals and non-affiliated locals at a cost.
Course offerings will be:
1) Steward Learning Series 1 (includes Introduction to Stewarding)
2) Steward Learning Series 2 (Participants must have previously completed Introduction to Stewarding)
3) Advanced Grievance Handling: Human Rights
4) Executive Leadership
Please note that the school begins on March 2 at 9AM and ends on March 5 at 4:30pm.
NADC has contracted a group rate with the hotel. Group code and information will be available in the registration package.
Please ensure to provide your own correct email address during registration.
This stream is for NEW Shop Stewards and includes Introduction to Stewarding.
Mandatory plenary and group activity
Mar 2, 2026 (9:00am-12:00pm (Pacific)) (20 spaces available)
This morning session is mandatory and starts promptly at 9:00 am (Pacific)
Introduction to Stewarding
March 2 (1:00pm) - 3, 2026 (12:00pm) (20 spaces available)
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 - Notetaking
Mar 3, 2026 (1:00pm-4:30pm (Pacific)) (20 spaces available)
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 - Grievance handling
Mar 4, 2026 (9:00am-12:00pm (Pacific)) (20 spaces available)
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 - Representing members in front of management
Mar 4, 2026 (1:00pm-4:30pm (Pacific)) (20 spaces available)
This module equips stewards to be proactive when meeting with management. Learn tips for effective meetings, and build confidence by practicing meeting situations.
SLS - Duty of fair representation
Mar 5, 2026 (9:00am-12:00pm (Pacific)) (20 spaces available)
Learn about where stewards get their authority in the workplace, the duty of fair representation, and other labour laws that cover the workplace. NOTE: Please bring your Steward Handbook to the workshop.
SLS - Ally skills for stewards
Mar 5, 2026 (1:00pm-4:30pm (Pacific)) (20 spaces available)
Effective stewards are champions for human rights and equality. Explore what it means to be an ally, and ways that stewards can step up as allies in the workplace and the union.
This stream is for existing Shop Stewards who are interested in expanding their learning. Introduction to Stewarding MUST be completed prior.
Mandatory plenary and group activity
Mar 2, 2026 (9:00am-12:00pm (Pacific)) (18 spaces available)
This morning session is mandatory and starts promptly at 9:00 am (Pacific)
SLS - Creating harassment-free workplaces
Mar 2, 2026 (1:00pm-4:30pm (Pacific)) (18 spaces available)
Learn how to recognize harassment, educate members about harassment, and represent members who are involved in harassment complaints.
SLS - Mediating member-to-member conflict
Mar 3, 2026 (9:00am-12:00pm (Pacific)) (18 spaces available)
Practice coaching members who are in conflict with other members, and work with a four-step approach to basic mediation.
SLS - Solidarity with Indigenous workers
Mar 3, 2026 (1:00pm-4:30pm (Pacific)) (18 spaces available)
Learn about Canada’s history of colonialism, engage in some myth-busting, and explore ways you can build solidarity with Indigenous workers and support reconciliation in the workplace.
SLS - Growing our mobilizing power
Mar 4, 2026 (9:00am-12:00pm (Pacific)) (18 spaces available)
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.
SLS - Taking on privatization
Mar 4, 2026 (1:00pm-4:30pm (Pacific)) (18 spaces available)
Learn about different forms of privatization in CUPE workplaces, how it impacts our members, services, and the public, and what stewards can do about it.
SLS - What stewards need to know about arbitration
Mar 5, 2026 (9:00am-12:00pm (Pacific)) (18 spaces available)
Although most grievances get settled, some go to arbitration. Learn about the arbitration process, terms, mediated settlements, and the role of the steward before and during arbitration. NOTE: Please bring your collective agreement to the workshop.
SLS - Popular economics for stewards
Mar 5, 2026 (1:00pm-4:30pm (Pacific)) (18 spaces available)
We keep hearing that the rich are getting richer and the poor are getting poorer. How do these trends impact our lives as workers and union members? What is needed from us as stewards in these times of growing economic inequality?
This workshop is for experienced Shop Stewards only and participants must have completed Introduction to Stewarding.
Mandatory plenary and group activity
Mar 2, 2026 (9:00am-12:00pm (Pacific)) (8 spaces available)
This morning session is mandatory and starts promptly at 9:00 am (Pacific)
Advance Grievance Handling: Human Rights
March 2 (1:00pm) - 5, 2026 (4:30pm) (8 spaces available)
This workshop will review the various protected grounds under the Human Rights Code. Participants will learn about the legal principles around discrimination and be provided with tips for handling human rights related matters and grievances.
This stream is geared for members of local executives who want to further their leadership skills.
Mandatory plenary and group activity
Mar 2, 2026 (9:00am-12:00pm (Pacific)) (19 spaces available)
This morning session is mandatory and starts promptly at 9:00 am (Pacific)
LET - Leadership Essentials
March 2 (1:00pm) - 3, 2026 (4:30pm) (19 spaces available)
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 - Essentials for Inclusive Unions
Mar 4, 2026 (9:00am-4:30pm (Pacific)) (19 spaces available)
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?
LET - Good Meetings
Mar 5, 2026 (9:00am-4:30pm (Pacific)) (19 spaces available)
Have you ever sat through a meeting, either as a participant or a facilitator that you knew could be more focused, efficient, inclusive, or effective? We use Bourinot's rules of parliamentary procedure to make important decisions in a way that is fair. But sometimes a different kind of conversation is needed to be inclusive and build our movement. In this workshop, executive members learn how to find and lead the right process for the work that needs to get done. Parliamentary procedure is an important part of our democratic process in CUPE. Some conversations are better had using other approaches. How do you decide when parli-pro is needed and when another approach could help? Build your facilitation skills for supporting effective and inclusive discussions, learn and practice some processes that you can use in your day to day work.
Feb 16, 2026
Crest Hotel
222 1st Ave W
Prince Rupert, British Columbia
(map)
Affiliate: $100
Non-affiliate: $260
Registration fee's will be directly paid to NADC. Information on payment details will be sent from NADC in the important information package. Please ensure to provide your email address.
There is significant demand for our workshops. If you need to cancel your registration, please email Rachel Naidu, rnaidu@cupe.ca, 6222 Willingdon Avenue, BURNABY, British Columbia V5H 0G3 as soon as possible.
Thanks for your interest in CUPE’s Union Education Program and for your ongoing leadership in our union!
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.
Rachel Naidu
rnaidu@cupe.ca