After a passionate but respectful debate on how to increase women leaders in CUPE, resolution C27 failed to reach the required two-thirds majority.
Following the vote, a motion to refer it back was approved by 780-754.
The resolution – a constitutional amendment that would see five new female vice-presidents on the national executive board – has dominated convention debate so far. Discussion has focused on the systemic barriers women face in getting elected to top leadership positions.
Female leadership at the national level is at its lowest level in decades.