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CUPE members have defended high-quality public services since our union’s inception in 1963. Privatization is an ever-present threat – one we faced then, and still face every day. Fighting privatization has always been a priority at CUPE: we shouldn’t have to live in a society where our quality of life is sold to the lowest bidder. Here, we celebrate some of the significant campaigns.

Since CUPE’s founding in 1963, our union has been a member of the global union federation Public Services International (PSI). Over the last 60 years, we have supported countless international struggles. And to this day, CUPE members have organized for peace and justice, and have backed workers and social movements fighting for their rights and defending vital public services.

A well-designed logo serves more than one purpose. It is not only a recognizable emblem to identify an organization, but it should also, ideally, convey that organization’s values. A logo plays a pivotal role in shaping and reinforcing an organization’s brand identity, fostering a sense of belonging and unity. How many of CUPE’s logos do you remember?

This year we mark our union’s 60th birthday. It’s an opportunity to celebrate how much we’ve gained over the years, and to honour the members, activists, leaders, and staff who worked so hard and achieved so much. But we must also remember that workers’ struggles are never-ending and now it is our turn take up that work, to protect past advances and break new ground.

In 1993, National President Judy Darcy was celebrating the work of CUPE activists and all they had achieved for human rights in the 30 years since the union’s founding. She was also warning members not to let up. Now, 30 years on, we can see that members heeded Darcy’s advice. CUPE has kept pushing for human rights – though, as Darcy recognized even then, struggles remain. As we mark 60 years of our union, we can look back at some of these milestones to remind us to always keep up the fight.

In March 2021, CUPE’s National Executive Board (NEB) formed the Safe Union Spaces Working Group (SUSWG). The group, made up of the women members of the NEB, conducted member surveys, held focus groups and organized listening sessions, and collaborated with experts to determine next steps. They outlined their recommendations in an interim report and action plan, published in April 2022. Since then, CUPE has been putting these recommendations into practice. Here are some highlights!

Education is a powerful tool, and it’s not neutral. Underlying every educational program are the values and vision of the society it serves. Our Union Education Branch has been fostering inclusion and an equity perspective for a long time. We do everything we can to ensure that every member from our diverse CUPE community, from coast to coast to coast, has a voice and sees themselves reflected in our union.

CUPE was instrumental in establishing Workers’ Day of Mourning, observed across Canada in honour of those killed or injured on the job. But CUPE has many other achievements to be proud of. Here are some other occupational health and safety highlights from our history.