Thursday, February 5
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1:00 – 6:30 p.m.
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Registration
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6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Hall A, Level 3
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Plenary
Conference Co-hosts
Yolanda McClean, CUPE Diversity Vice-President
Brian Barron, CUPE Diversity Vice-President
Greetings
Barbara and Clarence Nepinak, Pine Creek Ojibway First Nation
Kelly Moist, CUPE Manitoba President
A critical moment: Labour and the pursuit of human rights
Our union plays an essential role in the defence and pursuit of human rights. At the bargaining table, in our communities and around the world, our actions help create fairness and raise standards. Join us as we lay the groundwork for the days ahead.
Paul Moist, CUPE National President
Guest speaker
Romeo Saganash, Member of Parliament, NDP
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8:30 – 10:00 p.m.
Hall B, Level 3
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Reception
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Friday, February 6
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8:30 a.m.
Room 2E, Level 2
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Smudge
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9:00 – 10:30 a.m.
Hall A
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Plenary
Who are we? CUPE’s membership survey, in context
For the first time in our union’s history, CUPE has conducted a comprehensive survey of our membership, asking questions about job security, union awareness and who we are. We’ll have a look at some of the results, then our panel will help put them in the context of what is happening in Canada.
Speaker
Shelly Gordon, Director, CUPE Research, Job Evaluation, and Health & Safety Branch
Panel
Moderator: Shaneen Robinson, Journalist, APTN
Alexa Conradi, President, Quebec Federation of Women
Grace-Edward Galabuzi, Associate Professor, Ryerson University
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10:30 – 10:45 a.m.
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Break
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10:45 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.
Break-out rooms as assigned.
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Workshops
Equality and the socio-economic context
These workshops will provide participants with an opportunity to analyze information from CUPE’s membership survey in the current socio-economic context. The topics will help us explore how the current context relates to our locals and communities, and strategies we can use at the local level to make equality gains.
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12:15 – 1:45 p.m.
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Lunch
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1:45 – 3:15 p.m.
Hall A
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Plenary
Human rights in Canada: Our history, our future
The history of human rights in Canada is still being written, and serious struggles continue to this day. Our panel unpacks the issues, and representatives from the Canadian Museum for Human Rights share the vision for the new facility.
Panel
Moderator: Annick Desjardins, CUPE Equality Representative, Quebec Region
Niigaanwewidam James Sinclair, Associate Professor, University of Manitoba
Yvonne Peters, Chairperson, Manitoba Human Rights Board of Commissioners
Presentation from the Canadian Museum for Human Rights
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3:15 – 3:45 p.m.
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Break
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3:45 p.m.
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Buses leave for Canadian Museum for Human Rights
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4:00 – 6:00 p.m.
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Museum visit
3:45 p.m. Buses leave for museum
4:00 – 6:00 p.m. Museum visit
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6:00 p.m.
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Buses back to hotels
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Saturday, February 7
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8:30 a.m.
Room 2E, Level 2
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Smudge
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9:00 – 10:30 a.m.
Hall A
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Plenary
Bargaining equality: CUPE’s opportunity at the table
Human rights are never simply handed over—they’re fought for and won by committed activists. CUPE members face these challenges every day at the bargaining table. The rise of two-tier proposals and the erosion of pensions and benefits affect equality-seeking groups the most. Learn how other members have faced these challenges and won, raising the floor for all workers in the process.
Panel featuring CUPE members and staff
Moderator: François Bellemare, Assistant Regional Director, CUPE Quebec
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10:30 – 10:45 a.m.
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Break
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10:45 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.
Breakout rooms as assigned.
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Workshops
Bargaining strategies for equality
These workshops will take a critical and constructive look at the relationship between collective bargaining and equality. Participants will develop practical strategies to achieve equality gains in one of four topic areas.
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12:15 – 1:45 p.m.
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Lunch
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1:45 – 3:15 p.m.
Hall A
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Plenary
Winning equality through political action
The federal government and many provincial governments are imposing funding and service cuts that affect equality-seeking groups the most. But CUPE members have an opportunity to change that. Our panel explores how you and your local can play a decisive role in the next election.
Panel
Moderator: Archana Rampure, CUPE Senior Officer, Political action
Ausma Malik, School Board Trustee, Toronto
Jinny Sims, Member of Parliament, NDP
Spencer Chandra Herbert, MLA, BC (NDP)
Kevin Chief, Minister of Jobs and the Economy, Manitoba (NDP)
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3:15 – 3:30 p.m.
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Break
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3:30 – 5:00 p.m.
Breakout rooms as assigned.
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Workshops
Equality and politics: Action and influence
These workshops will enable participants to exchange ideas and strategies to engage our members in political action in one of four topic areas. Political action can influence elections, public policy, and legislation that support equality and human rights.
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7:30 p.m.
Hall B, Level 3
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The Great Manitoba Social
Music, dancing, and…cheese cubes? The social is a true Manitoba tradition. Come in from the cold and experience an event that’s unique to the keystone province. Pass the koubassa.
Special performances
Levy Abad
DJ J. Jackson
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Sunday, February 8
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8:30 a.m.
Room 2E, Level 2
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Smudge
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9:00 – 11:30 a.m.
Hall A
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Plenary
Conference report
Hosts: Yolanda McClean and Brian Barron
Engaging members and the community
Our panel explores successful union and community campaigns led by marginalized workers to build collective power. With strong union-community solidarity, we can bargain equality gains, elect progressive candidates and achieve progressive policy changes.
Panel
Moderator: Sylvia Sioufi, CUPE Senior Officer, Union Development
Kent Wong, Director, UCLA Labor Centre
Erica Violet Lee, Activist, Idle No More organizer
Beth Dollaga, Member, CUPE 15
Ronald Boisrond, CUPE National Representative, Quebec Region
Closing remarks
Charles Fleury, CUPE National Secretary-Treasurer
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