Workshop Catalog

When we are disrespected in our union, or when harm, harassment, and discrimination happen we are unsafe. We would not accept it from our supervisors and managers at work, and it is not ok in our union space. When we witness others being harmed, oppressed or injured, we can intervene in safe and effective ways before, during, or after a harassing or violent situation.

In this 3-hour workshop, learn and practice how to intervene.

When we are disrespected in our union, or when harm, harassment, and discrimination happen we are unsafe. We would not accept it from our supervisors and managers at work, and it is not ok in our union space. When we witness others being harmed, oppressed or injured, we can intervene in safe and effective ways before, during, or after a harassing or violent situation.

In this 3-hours workshop, learn and practice how to intervene.

This module can be added to other parts of the Bargaining Education Program. It covers the legal framework for collective bargaining and where we get our power as a union.

In this online workshop, locals will learn to assess how well their members are engaged. The session covers building power by mobilizing members to build solidarity and support for the bargaining committee.

NOTE: This workshop is for the Mobilization Committee.

Participants need:
- Pens/markers and paper.
- Membership list

Bargaining notes are critical – during bargaining and when new language is being implemented after bargaining has ended. Learn how to read the room, understand body language, take good notes, and store notes after bargaining.

NOTE: This workshop is for bargaining committee members.

In this workshop, picket captains learn about:
• the issues in dispute;
• the strike plan;
• their responsibilities;
• how to manage situations that might come up on the picket line.

NOTE: This workshop is for picket captains.

In this online workshop, picket captains will learn about:
• the issues in dispute;
• the strike plan;
• their responsibilities;
• how to manage situations that might come up on the picket line.

NOTE: This workshop is for picket captains.

In this online workshop, you will learn about:
• the bargaining process;
• the legal framework for bargaining;
• what to expect on the first day of bargaining;
• bargaining table basics;
• consensus decision-making; and
• staying strategic.

NOTE: This workshop is intended for members of a Bargaining Committee.

In this online workshop, you will role-play bargaining using the Zoom platform. Your Bargaining Committee will be divided into 2 groups - Employer and Union - and you will role-play the exchange proposals, caucus and practice virtual bargaining with each other.

NOTE: This workshop requires some advance preparation. Materials required will be provided 1 week before the workshop.

In this online session, the local Strike Committee will work with its assigned National Representative to complete its Strike Plan using the CUPE's Strike Planning Handbook and Strike Planning Tool.

NOTE: This session is intended for a local Strike Committee who has already taken the Strike Preparation (OLS) workshop. However, other local members may be invited to participate in the planning session based on their knowledge/expertise or their intended role in the Administration, Finance, Communications or Picketing Committees.

To be effective, a strike needs to be well organized. This online workshop covers the basics of a well-run strike: administration, finance / strike pay, communications and picketing coordination.

NOTE: This workshop is for a local Strike Committee.

This workshop explores the benefits of bringing services in house - both for CUPE members and for those who rely on the services we provide. Learn how to identify possible services to bring in house and the steps to contracting in. Work with CUPE's new toolkit to stop contracting out called "Stop Contracting Out: A guide to bringing jobs and services back in house."

This online workshop covers what racism looks like in our society and in our union, and your role in challenging it.

Participation in this online workshop qualifies for a stamp in the passport for the Steward Learning Series (SLS) for Challenging Racism in the Workplace.

In this online workshop, you will learn about your local's duty to represent your members, the legal requirements of fair representation and how it applies to your collective agreement and other laws covering your workplace.

NOTE: Stewards who have completed the Introduction to Stewarding module can receive a stamp in their passport after completing this workshop.

This workshop explains the role that capitalism plays in workers’ lives, and examines the links between local and global issues. We will explore how building solidarity with workers in other countries makes the labour movement stronger in Canada and around the world.

This workshop explains the role that capitalism plays in workers’ lives, and examines the links between local and global issues. We will explore how building solidarity with workers in other countries makes the labour movement stronger in Canada and around the world.

This 2-part online workshop serves as an introduction into the world of health and safety and explores different basic concepts such as the:
• identification of hazards;
• hierarchy of controls;
• basic role of health and safety committees;
• basics on the right to refuse.

NOTE: Completion of this workshop is required to register for Part Two.

This 2-part online workshop serves as an introduction into the world of health and safety and explores different basic concepts such as the:
• identification of hazards;
• hierarchy of controls;
• basic role of health and safety committees;
• basics on the right to refuse.

NOTE: Completion of Part One is required to attend this workshop. Once both parts are complete, you will have fulfilled the pre-requisite to register for all other workshops in the Health and Safety Learning Series.

Learn how to identify root causes of workplace incidents, injuries, and diseases, common routes of entry of toxic substances, and your role in the investigation process.

NOTE: Please bring your binder and Health and Safety Committee Resource Kit.

This module looks at the musculoskeletal injuries in the workplace, such as strains or carpal tunnel syndrome, the risk factors, and the employers’ obligations to prevent these types of injuries.

NOTE: Please bring your binder and Health and Safety Committee Resource Kit.

In this module, you will learn techniques for identifying hazards, such as body maps, surveys and inspections. You will also develop a methodology for dealing with the hazards you find.

NOTE: Please bring your binder and Health and Safety Committee Resource Kit.

This workshop covers:
- How to recognize warning signs of indoor air quality problems;
- How to investigate, analyze a situation and explore solutions;
- When and how to use respirators safely to control a hazard;
- How the health and safety rights and process applies to indoor air quality issues.

NOTE: Please bring your binder and Health and Safety Committee Resource Kit.

This module covers the basic origins of health and safety law, how to find, read and interpret relevant section of law and highlights some of the more important aspects of the specific health and safety law that applies to you.

NOTE: Please bring your binder and Health and Safety Committee Resource Kit.

This module explores the structure, role and function of health and safety committees, their strengths and limitations, and how they can best work within the legislative framework, and within our union.

NOTE: Please bring your binder and Health and Safety Committee Resource Kit.

In this workshop you will learn what mobilizing for health and safety looks like, how to engage members around health and safety in your workplace and how to create a mobilizing plan.

NOTE: Please bring your binder and Health and Safety Committee Resource Kit.

Learn how to takes notes at committee meetings and prepare recommendations.

NOTE: Please bring your binder and Health and Safety Committee Resource Kit.

This module examines the risk factors that lead to violence in the workplace, and the employer’s obligations to prevent workers from being exposed to and injured by violence while at work. We examine relevant health and safety law, and start to develop strategies to make our workplaces safer.

NOTE: Please bring your binder and Health and Safety Committee Resource Kit.

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.

Participants will learn how to build a practice of allyship in their personal lives as well as in their locals, workplaces and communities. Learners will explore definitions, principles and applications of good allyship, and discuss related topics like white supremacy, privilege, comfort zones and strategies for collective action.

In this workshop you will:
• explore union values;
• learn about CUPE’s structure;
• find out how unions solve problems ;
• gain skills that will help you play a stronger role in your CUPE local.

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 online workshop is for you!

Note: After you have completed this course, remember to sign up for Part 2 to get the Intro to Stewarding stamp in your passport. You will need this to take any of the courses in the Steward Learning Series.

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 online workshop is for you!

Note: This is Part 2 of Introduction to Stewarding. Part 1 is a pre-requisite to this course.

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.

Good bylaws are an essential component of a well-functioning local. In this online 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: You will need your local bylaws to participate.

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

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

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.

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.

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.

Learn principles and processes to plan member engagement in your local.

This online workshop will help newly-elected treasurers learn about the basics of the local union’s finances. You will learn about your duties regarding the finances of the union, keeping the books, and how to be transparent and accountable to members. 

This online workshop will help new trustees understand their role and responsibilities. You will leave the workshop with a better understanding of union finances, financial controls, and financial terms as well as the basics of the trustees' audit.

Pensions are our deferred wages. That’s what makes them a union issue – whether you’re trying to get a workplace pension for your members or are trying to protect the one you have.
In this workshop, you’ll learn about:
• Government pensions – the Canada Pension Plan, the Old Age Security Program and the Guaranteed Income Supplement;
• The different kinds of workplace plans and why some are better than others;
• The attacks on workers’ pensions – and how we can fight back as union members.

This workshop is an introduction to why Truth and Reconciliation is a union issue, what Indigenous cultural safety can look like in the workplace and how members can use collective bargaining to make workplaces more safe and inclusive of Indigenous workers.

What creates respect at work? What is harassment, bullying and violence? What can we do to stop it?

This workshop explores how to create inclusive, safer workplaces for Two-Spirit, trans and non-binary staff. It will provide tools to better understand our Two-Spirit, trans and non-binary colleagues and fight transphobia.

Participants will have the opportunity to assess their workplace and determine what steps they can take to build safer spaces.

This workshop can have two audiences; a mixed audience of staff and management or an audience of only CUPE members.

This workshop will help participants:
- Recognize sexual harassment and sexual violence.
- Understand the impact of sexual violence and harassment on workers.
- Know our rights, roles and responsibilities.
- Practice how to address sexual violence as an active bystander.
- Learn how to deal with and prevent sexual violence and harassment.

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.

This workshop covers what racism looks like in the workplace, and your role as a steward in challenging it.

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.

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.

Learn how to recognize harassment, educate members about harassment, and represent members who are involved in harassment complaints.

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.

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.

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.

In this online workshop, you will share tips and successful practices with other stewards, and learn strategies for handling difficult grievances.

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.

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.

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 workshop focuses on the workplace as the cause or a contributor to mental health issues, and not the individual. We will discuss strategies and actions that actually help make workplaces psychologically healthier and safer.

Literacy affects all of us at work. Learning new computer programs, understanding collective agreements, completing forms, or writing reports can all pose barriers for our members. Learn about how stewards can increase literacy awareness, and help make the union inclusive and accessible to members.

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

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.

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 in this online workshop.

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?

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.

This module equips stewards to be proactive when meeting with management. Learn tips for effective meetings, and build confidence by practicing meeting situations.

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.

Learn about different forms of privatization in CUPE workplaces, how it impacts our members, services, and the public, and what stewards can do about it.

Explore the steward’s role in supporting and representing members dealing with mental health issues. Learn how to challenge stigma, and how to approach a conversation with a member about a possible mental health issue.

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.

Learn about the different steps in the bargaining process, the responsibilities of different activists throughout bargaining, and the role during bargaining.

In this online workshop, participants will learn about public pensions and about the different types of workplace pension plans. They will also explore the different roles they, as Stewards, can play to support and accompany members in understanding and protecting their pension.

There is an important election coming up! The outcome of every election will have an impact on workers, public services and equality rights.
Learn more about how elections work, explore current issues and how to get involved...a little or a lot!
We can make a difference!