April 8 - 11, 2025
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 Spring 2025 school will be held from April 8-11 2025 at the Prestige Hudson Bay Lodge & Conference Centre in Smithers, BC.
This school is open to both members of affiliated locals and non-affiliated locals at a cost.
Courses will run from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm each day Tue - Thu and Friday April 11th will be half a day (am only) for course wrap up and closing sessions.
Course offerings will be:
1) Collective Bargaining
2) Local Executive Training
3) Shop Steward Learning Series
** The Shop Steward Series (SLS) will be A la Carte options where you can choose from 2 different options each day Tue - Thu. You MUST pick a course for each day. If your registration is NOT complete with a chosen Option 1 or 2 for each day it is not a confirmed registration and you can lose your spot ***
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.
Collective Bargaining
April 8 (9:00am) - 10, 2025 (4:00pm) (4 spaces available)
This 3-day workshop will provide participants 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, as well as discussing CUPE's Bargaining Policy and other recommended practices and policies, including template language on a variety of human rights and equity issues. Finally, it will provide opportunity for hands on practice and skill development in preparing for and negotiating parts of a collective agreement, through roleplays and mock bargaining. Participants will find it helpful to have a lap-top computer for this workshop.
LET - Parliamentary Procedure
Apr 8, 2025 (9:00am-4:00pm (Pacific)) (8 spaces available)
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 - Bylaw Essentials
Apr 9, 2025 (9:00am-12:00pm (Pacific)) (8 spaces available)
Good bylaws are an essential component of a well-functioning local. In this workshop, you will learn the principles of good bylaws and how to make sure they are in compliance with CUPE's national constitution. We'll also look at how clear language bylaws help our members get involved in the work of the union. NOTE: Please bring your local bylaws to the workshop.
LET - Duty of Fair Representation
Apr 9, 2025 (1:00pm-4:00pm (Pacific)) (8 spaces available)
Learn about your local's duty to represent the members in your union, the legal requirements of fair representation and how it applies to your collective agreement and other laws covering your workplace.
LET - Essentials for Inclusive Unions
Apr 10, 2025 (9:00am-4:00pm (Pacific)) (8 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?
Introduction to Stewarding
Apr 8, 2025 (9:00am-4:00pm (Pacific)) (14 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 - HS - Preventing Mental Injuries at Work
Apr 8, 2025 (9:00am-12:00pm (Pacific)) (15 spaces available)
New forms of work, job insecurity, work intensification, high demands, violence and a resulting poor work-life balance are resulting in psychosocial and mental health problems in CUPE workplaces. This module focuses on the workplace as the cause or a contributor to mental health issues, and not the individual. Discuss strategies and actions that actually help make workplaces psychologically healthier and safer.
SLS - Creating accommodation-friendly workplaces
Apr 8, 2025 (1:00pm-4:00pm (Pacific)) (15 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 - Duty of fair representation
Apr 9, 2025 (9:00am-12:00pm (Pacific)) (13 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 - Notetaking
Apr 9, 2025 (1:00pm-4:00pm (Pacific)) (13 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 - Solidarity with Indigenous workers
Apr 9, 2025 (9:00am-12:00pm (Pacific)) (16 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 - Representing gender and sexually diverse members
Apr 9, 2025 (1:00pm-4:00pm (Pacific)) (16 spaces available)
Homophobia, biphobia, and transphobia play out in our workplaces, locals, and communities. Learn how to challenge these kinds of discrimination, and respectfully represent gender and sexually diverse members in your workplace.
SLS - What stewards need to know about bargaining
Apr 10, 2025 (9:00am-12:00pm (Pacific)) (11 spaces available)
Learn about the different steps in the bargaining process, the responsibilities of different activists throughout bargaining, and the role during bargaining.
SLS - What stewards need to know about arbitration
Apr 10, 2025 (1:00pm-4:00pm (Pacific)) (11 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 - Ally skills for stewards
Apr 10, 2025 (9:00am-12:00pm (Pacific)) (18 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 - Challenging racism in the workplace
Apr 10, 2025 (1:00pm-4:00pm (Pacific)) (18 spaces available)
This workshop covers what racism looks like in the workplace, and your role as a steward in challenging it.
Mar 10, 2025
Prestige Hudson Bay Lodge & Conference Centre
3251 East Highway 16
Smithers, 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 or bceducation@cupe.ca 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