1. Workers contact the union and meet with a union organizer.

  2. Workers sign cards applying for membership in the union and authorizing the union to represent them in negotiations with their employer. P.E.I. labour law requires CUPE to collect a minimal payment (often $2) from each worker when they sign a membership card.

  3. To obtain certification, there are two possibilities:

    a. The P.E.I. Labour Relations Board (LRB) may hold a vote to be satisfied that a majority of workers want a union. (Go to step 4) OR

    b. If more than 50% of the workers sign membership cards, the LRB may certify the union without holding a vote. (Go directly to step 5)

  4. The LRB holds a secret ballot vote. Anyone who is in the bargaining unit that the union applied to represent can vote. If the majority (50% + 1) of workers who cast ballots vote to unionize, the union is certified.

  5. Congrats! The union will serve notice to the employer to begin bargaining your first contract. 

The local certification process is confidential. Employers are not entitled to know who signed cards. Votes are held by secret ballot.

Join CUPE today 
Contact: Maritimeorganizer@cupe.ca