May 31 - June 5, 2026
**IMPORTANT NOTE**
If you are registering on behalf of members, please ensure to provide an email address of the member who is attending for communication reasons.
English
Classroom
CUPE/SCFP
On behalf of CUPE Union Education and CUPE BC, thank you for registering to be part of our Spring 2026 Weeklong School being held in Kamloops, BC from May 31 to June 5, 2026.
Hotel check-in and school registration will open / start at 3:00 pm on Sunday, May 31.
Workshops will run from:
Mon - Thu 9:00 am to 4:30 pm (Pacific) with breaks during the day.
Friday from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm (Pacific) will be review of the week and closing ceremony.
Introduction to Stewarding
June 1 (9:00am) - 2, 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 9-hour 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 and local union bylaws to the workshop.
SLS - Notetaking
Jun 2, 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 - Ally skills for stewards
Jun 3, 2026 (9:00am-12:00pm (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.
SLS - Duty of fair representation
Jun 3, 2026 (1:00pm-4:30pm (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 - Handling discipline and discharge
Jun 4, 2026 (9:00am-12:00pm (Pacific)) (20 spaces available)
Learn about key legal concepts and terms, and the role of stewards during an employer’s investigation, when discipline is given, and during grievance meetings. NOTE: Please bring your collective agreement and Steward Handbook to the workshop.
SLS - Representing members in front of management
Jun 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.
MUST HAVE COMPLETED INTRODUCTION TO STEWARDING
SLS - Handling discipline and discharge
Jun 1, 2026 (9:00am-12:00pm (Pacific)) (19 spaces available)
Learn about key legal concepts and terms, and the role of stewards during an employer’s investigation, when discipline is given, and during grievance meetings. NOTE: Please bring your collective agreement and Steward Handbook to the workshop.
SLS - Creating accommodation-friendly workplaces
Jun 1, 2026 (1:00pm-4:30pm (Pacific)) (19 spaces available)
Learn the legal framework for the duty to accommodate, what a good accommodation process and plan look like, and what to do if the employer is not willing to provide reasonable accommodation. NOTE: Please bring your Steward Handbook to the workshop.
SLS - Conflict skills for stewards
Jun 2, 2026 (9:00am-12:00pm (Pacific)) (19 spaces available)
Unresolved workplace conflict is stressful and weakens the union. Learn about the sources of workplace conflict and how to choose a response that fits the situation. Practice conflict communication skills that will help you resolve conflict at work and in the union.
SLS - Growing our mobilizing power
Jun 2, 2026 (1:00pm-4:30pm (Pacific)) (19 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 - Solidarity with Indigenous workers
Jun 3, 2026 (9:00am-12:00pm (Pacific)) (19 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 - What stewards need to know about arbitration
Jun 3, 2026 (1:00pm-4:30pm (Pacific)) (19 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 - Creating harassment-free workplaces
Jun 4, 2026 (9:00am-12:00pm (Pacific)) (19 spaces available)
Learn how to recognize harassment, educate members about harassment, and represent members who are involved in harassment complaints.
SLS - Popular economics for stewards
Jun 4, 2026 (1:00pm-4:30pm (Pacific)) (19 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?
There is an additional cost of $275 per person on top of the registration cost for this course.
Mental Health in the Workplace: A Union Perspective
June 1 (9:00am) - 4, 2026 (4:30pm) (20 spaces available)
More than half the population will experience a mental health problem over their lifetime. At least 20% of us are dealing with mental illness on any given day. Mental health issues touch every one of us directly or indirectly. What does this mean for us as workers? What about in our role as union activists? What are our duties and responsibilities? How can we support members who may be dealing with mental illness? This workshop will help answer these questions and more. *Includes certification "Mental Health First Aid."
Parliamentary Procedures & Public Speaking
June 1 (9:00am) - 4, 2026 (4:30pm)
This is a two-part course. Parliamentary Procedure covers how to run a meeting effectively, the duties of a chairperson and secretary, and how the rules of order can provide a democratic and fair process to get the business of the union accomplished. Public Speaking covers how to speak persuasively to various groups and how different formats are used to speak at convention, debates, and impromptu gatherings.
Collective Bargaining
June 1 (9:00am) - 4, 2026 (4:30pm)
Participants will leave with a solid understanding of the bargaining process and the factors that affect collective bargaining. This course also introduces some of the laws and rules that structure the bargaining process and provides opportunities for hands-on practice and skills development in preparing for and negotiating parts of a collective agreement. This course is aimed at new bargaining committee members and local union officers. You may want to bring a calculator for this course.
Apr 17, 2026
Coast Kamloops Hotel and Conference Centre
1250 Rogers Way
Kamloops, British Columbia
(map)
112
$2100
Your registration is not final until payment is received. Payment is due to us one week after registration is submitted. If payment is not received by then, the spot will be automatically cancelled and given to the next person on waitlist.
Please make cheques payable to: Canadian Union of Public Employees
DO NOT make cheques payable to CUPE BC; these cannot be accepted and will be returned and this will delay the registration process & may result in loss of the spot.
Full participant cost - $2100 (workshops, accommodation & meals)
Local participant cost - $600 (workshops, lunch and snacks only)
Mental Health First Aid - additional cost of $275
There is a huge demand for our weeklong learning programs. Cancellation requests must be done prior to May 15, 2026; after May 15th the registration fee is 100% non-refundable. To request a cancellation, please email Jennifer Kirchner, jkirchner@cupe.ca.
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.
Jennifer Kirchner
jkirchner@cupe.ca