Workshop Catalog

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.

This workshop covers:

- Understanding conflict as a regular part of human interaction
- 5 responses to conflict and choosing the right response
- Tips for preventing bias from getting in the way
- Communication skills for informal conflict resolution

(This workshop qualifies for a stamp in the SLS Passport for SLS: Conflict Skills for Stewards.)

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.

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.

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.

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.