2026 Atlantic Weeklong School

As union activists, we often ask why some members are involved while others are not, and what we can do to change that. This stream brings together workshops from our Local Executive Training, Steward Learning Series, and Anti-Racist CUPE programs to explore member engagement, leadership, inclusion, and solidarity. Participants will build practical skills for using their elected positions to strengthen their locals, support the broader labour movement, and contribute to stronger, more connected communities. LOCAL EXECUTIVE TRAINING: Leading as a Team, Essentials for Inclusive Unions How to Have Good Meetings STEWARD LEARNING SERIES: Mediating Member-to-Member Conflict Duty of Fair Representation Grievance Handling ANTI-RACIST CUPE: ARC 101

LET - Leading as a Team
November 16, 2026 (9:00am-12:00pm (Atlantic))

In this workshop, executive teams explore power and responsibility that comes with it, how we work in teams and how to balance our leadership styles to engage the membership and work effectively across diversity.

LET - Essentials for Inclusive Unions
November 16, 2026 (12:00pm-6:00pm (Atlantic))

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
November 17, 2026 (9:00am-3:00pm (Atlantic))

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.

SLS - Mediating member-to-member conflict
November 18, 2026 (9:00am-12:00pm (Atlantic))

Practice coaching members who are in conflict with other members, and work with a four-step approach to basic mediation.

SLS - Duty of fair representation
November 18, 2026 (1:00pm-3:00pm (Atlantic))

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 - Grievance handling
November 19, 2026 (9:00am-12:00pm (Atlantic))

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.

Introduction to Anti-Racist CUPE (ARC)
November 20, 2026 (9:00am-3:00pm (Atlantic))

Unions are strongest when every worker is valued, included, and empowered. This interactive workshop is your introduction to building an anti-racist union—one where solidarity means standing up for all members. Through engaging discussions and real-world examples, we’ll explore key concepts, challenge biases, and develop the skills needed to create a more inclusive and powerful labour movement. This workshop is an introduction to building an anti-racist union. It is part of a wider program of anti-racism workshops from CUPE Education. This intro workshop introduces some core ideas, concepts and skills that are carried through the other workshops and resources.