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CUPE Manitoba represents over 36,000 members in more than 80 locals, making it the largest union in the province. CUPE members provide support services in health care facilities, personal care homes, school divisions, municipal services, social services, childcare centres, public utilities, and family emergency services. CUPE Manitoba is at the forefront of defending and expanding public services and human rights. In addition to representing members, CUPE Manitoba works for progressive social change. Abe Araya was elected president of CUPE Manitoba in November 2019.

CUPE New Brunswick represents 28,000 members in close to 200 locals. Major sectors within the union include health care, education, nursing homes, municipalities and transportation. The union has fought against government wages freezes and cuts within the public sector, and has campaigned to raise awareness about the perils of public-private partnerships.

CUPE Newfoundland and Labrador proudly represents over 6,000 working women and men, with 47 locals. The union represents workers in health care, education, public housing, provincial libraries, municipalities, university, child care, recycling, social services and much more.

CUPE Alberta represents over 32,000 workers in 108 locals. CUPE Alberta works to inspire and mobilize its members to work together for better wages and working conditions as well as strong public services. CUPE Alberta represents employees in the municipal, school board, health care, post-secondary education, emergency medical services and not-for-profit sectors, among many others.

CUPE has both a provincial division and a health services division in British Columbia CUPE BC is the province’s largest labour union, representing more than 85,000 workers in more than 170 locals.

CUPE divisions are the political voice of members in their respective provinces, and an integral part of our union. Chartered though the national union, each division advocates and campaigns at the provincial level for legislative, policy and political change in the interests of CUPE members and the communities they serve. Each provincial division is lead by a democratically elected president, secretary-treasurer and executive board, who are directed by members at annual conventions (biennial in Quebec).

National Executive Board (NEB) Highlights are issued following every NEB meeting, it reports on decisions made and resolutions passed. The highlights report also outlines discussions by the NEB on current and on-going issues facing CUPE, and any guest speakers. It also advises of former members and staff who have passed away over the last few months.

After wages, pensions and benefits are the biggest monetary items in a collective agreement. Usually, the specific provisions of a pension or benefits plan are laid out in a plan booklet, not the collective agreement. This is why it is important to include details about pension and benefits rights in your local’s agreement. Download a copy of Pensions and benefits (Section I of the Bargaining Equality binder). It includes checklists, a fact sheet, and examples of contract language from CUPE locals.

CUPE has long been a leader in the fight for a national child care program. In spite of promises by many governments, Canada still does not have a national strategy. About 70 per cent of women with young children work outside the home. For many of these families, the lack of affordable, quality child care is a major source of stress that makes balancing work and family responsibilities difficult and sometimes impossible. Bargaining child care benefits working mothers, children, entire families, our union and our workplaces. It allows working mothers the freedom to contribute to the workforce, society, and the ability to provide for themselves and their families. Bargaining child care makes good sense. Make it a part of your local’s bargaining agenda.

Discussions about the economy shouldn’t be dominated by banks and corporations. Join the conversation about how the economy can work for Canadian workers, our families, and our communities. CUPE’s Popular Economics videos shed light on basic economic issues, and how they affect all of us.