FALL 2026 Weeklong School - Nanaimo
November 15 - 20, 2026
** IMPORTANT NOTE **
If you are registering on behalf of members please ensure to provide the email address of the member who is attending for communication reasons.
Introduction to Stewarding must be completed prior to the start of the school if you are registering for Steward Learning Series Advanced. If you have not completed this your registration will automatically be cancelled.
English
Classroom
CUPE/SCFP
On behalf of CUPE Union Education and CUPE BC, thank you for registering to be a part of our Fall 2026 Weeklong School being held in Nanaimo, BC from Sun, Nov 15th - Fri, Nov 20th.
Hotel check-in and School Registration will open / start at 3:00 pm on Sunday, Nov 15th.
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.
Occupational Health & Safety (BC FED)
November 16 (9:00am) - 19, 2026 (4:30pm) (20 spaces available)
This workshop will provide participants with a solid worker-centered foundation in the essential principles of occupational health and safety (OH&S), ensuring the voices of workers remain at the heart of OH&S conversations. It is grounded in both provincial and federal OH&S legislation and is appropriate for members of joint health and safety committees, job stewards, local executives, and others seeking a solid framework in OH&S.
This is for NEW Shop Stewards, Introduction to Stewarding is included in this stream. Please bring your Collective Agreement.
Introduction to Stewarding
November 16 (9:00am) - 17, 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 - Ally skills for stewards
November 17, 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.
SLS - Duty of fair representation
November 18, 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 - Handling discipline and discharge
November 18, 2026 (1:00pm-4:30pm (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 - Notetaking
November 19, 2026 (9:00am-12:00pm (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 - What stewards need to know about arbitration
November 19, 2026 (1:00pm-4:30pm (Pacific)) (20 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.
THIS IS A WORKSHOP ON GRIEVANCE HANDLING FROM START OF GRIEVANCE TO ARBITRATION. THIS IS FOR EXPERIENCED STEWARDS ONLY & MUST HAVE COMPLETED INTRODUCTION TO STEWARDING.
Advanced Grievance Handling: Building the best case from Grievance to Arbitration
November 16 (9:00am) - 19, 2026 (4:30pm) (20 spaces available)
This workshop will teach participants about how to best prepare grievances to increase their local's chances of success at arbitration. This advanced workshop is geared to experienced stewards, chief shop stewards and Local Executive members.
This workshop is designed to equip young and new activists in the Union movement with the essential skills and knowledge to be an effective leader. Regardless of your level of experience in the labour movement, we are confident that you will gain valuable insights as we explore crucial topics such as workplace advocacy, bystander intervention, labour history, leadership essentials, organizing, bargaining, effective meetings, and local and global labour issues.
Young & New Leaders
November 16 (9:00am) - 19, 2026 (4:30pm) (20 spaces available)
Delve into the strategic aspects of collective bargaining, where you'll learn to leverage union power for fair working conditions. You will discover your leadership potential and strategies to foster solidarity within your local union and community. You will learn the art of conducting efficient and inclusive meetings using parliamentary procedures. And lastly, we will explore the global impact of workers' solidarity and the interconnectedness of local and international labour issues.
LET - Leadership Essentials
November 16 (9:00am) - 17, 2026 (12:00pm) (17 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 - Conflict-Ready Executives
November 17, 2026 (1:00pm-4:30pm (Pacific)) (17 spaces available)
In this workshop, participants will explore: - The value of conflict for effective groups - How our beliefs about conflict shape how we respond - The kinds of conflict executives struggle with - Productive ways to resolve conflict on an executive
LET - Planning for Member Engagement (OLS)
November 18, 2026 (9:00am-12:00pm (Pacific)) (17 spaces available)
Learn principles and processes to plan member engagement in your local.
Panel Discussion
November 18, 2026 (1:00pm-4:30pm (Pacific)) (17 spaces available)
Group panel discussion
LET - Good Meetings
November 19, 2026 (9:00am-4:30pm (Pacific)) (17 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.
This is for NEW Shop Stewards, however Introduction to Stewarding MUST be completed prior to the start of school. Please bring your Collective Agreement and Stewards Passport.
SLS - Handling discipline and discharge
November 16, 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 - Conflict skills for stewards
November 16, 2026 (1:00pm-4:30pm (Pacific)) (20 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 - Duty of fair representation
November 17, 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
November 17, 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.
SLS - Disability and ableism in the workplace
November 18, 2026 (9:00am-12:00pm (Pacific)) (20 spaces available)
Explore what ableism is, how to recognize it, and ways to address it. Learn about how to make your workplace and union accessible to workers with visible and invisible disabilities.
SLS - Creating accommodation-friendly workplaces
November 18, 2026 (1:00pm-4:30pm (Pacific)) (20 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 - Representing members in front of management
November 19, 2026 (9:00am-12:00pm (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 - Growing our mobilizing power
November 19, 2026 (1:00pm-4:30pm (Pacific)) (20 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.
October 9, 2026
117
$2200
Coast Bastion Hotel
11 Bastion Street
Nanaimo, British Columbia
(map)
Your registration is not final until payment is received. Payment is due to us 1 week after registration is submitted. If payment is not received by then; the spot can be automatically cancelled and given to the next person on waitlist.
Please make cheques payable out to: Canadian Union of Public Employees.
DO NOT make cheques payable out 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.
Mail payment to: 6222 Willingdon Avenue, BURNABY, British Columbia V5H 0G3 - Attention: Education Dept / Fall 2026 Weeklong School
Reminder of costs:
Full Participant Cost: $2,200.00 - Single occupancy accommodation, all meals and workshops.
Local Participant Cost: $700.00 - Workshops and lunch and snacks only.
Partner/Spouse or 14+ Child: $700.00
Child 3-13 years: $350.00
Cheque is the only form of payment we are able to accept at this time.
There is a huge demand for our weeklong learning programs. Cancellation requests must be done prior to Oct 21st, 2026 after this date the registration fee is 100% non-refundable. To request a cancellation, please email Rachel Naidu, rnaidu@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.
Rachel Naidu
rnaidu@cupe.ca