February 18 - 20, 2026
CUPE 5430 members must register through their Regional Office.
English
Classroom
CUPE/SCFP
Saskatchewan Winter School 2026
Session 1 - Grievance Bootcamp and Arbitration Basics
Session 2 - Health and Safety and your Psychological Safety
Session 3 - Steward Series Workshops
CUPE National has a vaccine policy and you can read it here:
cupe.ca/covid-vaccine-policy-and-return-work-office
The policy applies to CUPE National organized events, including Union Education workshops and National meetings and conferences.
All staff and members are encouraged to complete daily self-screening before attending any CUPE event, and to stay home if they are exhibiting symptoms related to COVID-19, or any other infectious disease, including the flu, common cold, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), etc.
Masking and physical distancing of six feet is encouraged, but no longer mandatory.
In registering for this event, it is understood that you agree to comply with the protocols that may be established.
CUPE’s Grievance Bootcamp workshop takes your grievance writing skills to the next level by providing in-depth review of grievance goals and standards. CUPE’s best practices in refining the written grievance will be shared by experienced CUPE representatives. Participants will undertake individual grievance analysis and writing, using realistic grievance files and scenarios. Direct guidance and practical suggestions from the facilitators will hone the skills of the participants. The course will close with a workshop on what stewards and executive members should know before your grievances move one to arbitration (SLS -- What Stewards Need to Know about Arbitration. Pre-requisite: Introduction to Stewarding (available online, Parts I and II, or live.) Please bring your steward handbook and passport with you.
Grievance Bootcamp and Arbitration Basics
February 18 (9:00am) - 20, 2026 (4:00pm) (20 spaces available)
CUPE’s Grievance Bootcamp workshop takes your grievance writing skills to the next level by providing in-depth review of grievance goals and standards. CUPE’s best practices in refining the written grievance will be shared by experienced CUPE representatives. Participants will undertake individual grievance analysis and writing, using realistic grievance files and scenarios. Direct guidance and practical suggestions from the facilitators will hone the skills of the participants.
SLS - What stewards need to know about arbitration
Feb 20, 2026 (1:00pm-4:00pm (Saskatchewan))
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.
CUPE National has declared that 2026 will be the year of Health and Safety. We want to help members and unionists take best advantage of the changes and focus in CUPE’s OH&S work, and to build the strength of union action in making your workplace safer. Our winter school will be offering CUPE’s Introduction to Health and Safety with discussions and workshops on Psychological Safety in the workplace. Don’t ignore mental health when looking at your jobs!
Health and Safety and your Psychological Safety
February 18 (9:00am) - 20, 2026 (4:00pm)
CUPE National has declared that 2026 will be the year of Health and Safety. We want to help members and unionists take best advantage of the changes and focus in CUPE’s OH&S work, and to build the strength of union action in making your workplace safer. Our winter school will be offering CUPE’s Introduction to Health and Safety with discussions and workshops on Psychological Safety in the workplace. Don’t ignore mental health when looking at your jobs!
These workshops are from CUPE’s renowned Steward Learning Series, and from our OH&S series. They are designed for newly-elected union stewards/officers and executive members of longer standing who wish to review and hone their skills. All workshop attendees will be credited for the workshops in our Steward Learning Series Passport program, and at our National Office for the Occupational Health and Safety course. Pre-requisite: Introduction to Stewarding (available online, Parts I and II, or live.) Please bring your Steward handbook, Steward passport and a copy of your collective agreement.
SLS - Duty of fair representation
Feb 18, 2026 (9:00am-12:00pm (Saskatchewan))
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 - Disability and ableism in the workplace
Feb 18, 2026 (1:00pm-4:00pm (Saskatchewan))
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 - Handling discipline and discharge
Feb 19, 2026 (9:00am-12:00pm (Saskatchewan))
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 - Growing our mobilizing power
Feb 19, 2026 (1:00pm-4:00pm (Saskatchewan))
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.
HS - Workload and Overwork
Feb 20, 2026 (9:00am-12:00pm (Saskatchewan))
As employers pull back resources, they expect workers to do more with less. This module will examine workload, the cause and effects of overwork, and strategies to overcome the ever increasing workload that is damaging not just our health at work, but the relationship we have outside of work. NOTE: Please bring your binder and Health and Safety Committee Resource Kit.
Jan 23, 2026
Wanuskewin Heritage Park
RR#4 Penner Road
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
(map)
65
$575
Payment must be received by Friday, January 23, 2026.
Please make cheques payable to: CUPE
Mail payment to:
CUPE Winter School
c/o CUPE Saskatoon Area Office
250 Cardinal Cr.
Saskatoon SK S7L 6H8
Please note that this school may be cancelled due to low registration or other reasons.
Send/email your cancellation request, in writing, with your local number, address and telephone number by the registration deadline to Kim Draeger (kdraeger@cupe.ca) or Gary Day (gday@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.
Kim Draeger
KDraeger@cupe.ca
Jaclyn St. Denis
jstdenis@cupe.ca
(306) 382-8262