RSS Feed (All)

CUPE NL members gather for convention focused on health, fairness, stronger public services

Wed, 22 Apr 2026 14:46:50 -0400

Delegates from across Newfoundland and Labrador will gather this week for the CUPE NL Convention, bringing together workers from across sectors to set priorities for the year ahead and strengthen the collective voice of public service workers in the province.

This year’s convention is being held during the “Year of Health and Safety,” with a strong focus on protecting workers on the job and ensuring that safe workplaces are treated as a fundamental right—not an afterthought.

Delegates will also take up key issues facing workers and communities across Newfoundland and Labrador, including:

Strengthening public healthcare, with an urgent focus on recruitment and retention challenges that continue to strain the system and the workers who sustain it
Advancing workers’ rights and fair wages, as the cost of living rises and workers demand respect at the bargaining table
Promoting equity, inclusion, and anti-racism, to ensure that workplaces reflect the dignity and diversity of the communities they serve
Building stronger communities through public services, recognizing that well-funded, accessible public services are essential to the province’s social and economic well-being

“Workers across this province are showing up every day in increasingly difficult conditions—and they’re doing it because they care about the people and communities they serve,” said Sherry Hillier, president of CUPE Newfoundland and Labrador. “This convention is about turning that commitment into action—setting clear priorities and building the strength we need to win safer workplaces, fair wages, and the public services our communities depend on.”

The convention will feature policy debates, workshops, and guest speakers, as well as opportunities for members to share their experiences from the front lines of public service work.

“At a time when public services are under pressure, this convention is about more than internal business—it’s about sending a clear message,” said Hillier. “Investing in workers is investing in communities. You can’t have strong public services without the people who deliver them.”

Toronto Zoo Workers Reach Tentative Agreement

Fri, 17 Apr 2026 16:25:47 -0400

After nearly three months of collective bargaining, members of CUPE 1600 at the Toronto Zoo have reached a tentative agreement.

“We’re pleased to have reached a tentative agreement that reflects the needs of our entire membership, including both permanent and seasonal workers,” said Lynda Bongelli, president of CUPE 1600. “Our bargaining committee worked hard throughout negotiations, and I’m proud of what they’ve done with the support of our members to reach this agreement.”

The union will not disclose specific details of the tentative agreement until CUPE 1600 members have had the opportunity to review its contents and vote on the agreement.

CUPE 1600 represents more than 400 workers across over 140 roles at the Toronto Zoo, including zookeepers, horticulturalists, trades workers, educators, conservation staff, and guest services workers.

Earth Day

Thu, 16 Apr 2026 13:30:00 -0400

CUPE’s National Environment policy calls on us to cut emissions that cause climate change, fight for environmental justice, eliminate plastic waste and other steps.

We know what our environmental problems and challenges are. Enough talk has happened on issues like climate change and water quality. Clear steps will move us forward. As citizens, as workers and as union members pressuring employers, we can and must be part of the solution.

This Earth Day let’s act to improve our world. Here are some actions to take:

Form an environment committee, climate committee or create a union position for a sustainability rep to work with employers to take green action at work.
If you have greenspace at work, plant trees and put in a vegetable garden to grow food for your workplace.
Carpool, get to work with active transportation (bicycle, walk), and take public transit. This greatly reduces carbon emissions that cause climate change.
Put zero-waste programs in place where you work by recycling, composting, and banning plastics.
Use technology (online meetings, document sharing, electronic documents only) to cut down on travel and paper waste.
Partner with climate and environmental justice groups.
Read CUPE’s environmental policy for background on actions you can take at your workplace.

CUPE urges senators to protect workers from AI

Wed, 15 Apr 2026 11:20:53 -0400

Artificial intelligence is spreading fast without any rules governing this powerful new technology. Workers need strong laws that protect their jobs and human rights. CUPE has shared that call with members of a Senate committee studying the impacts of AI.

When employers and governments bring in new technology, they often don’t consult or consider us as workers. Without guardrails, AI will give employers sweeping new powers.

In her presentation to the Senate Standing Committee on Human Rights, CUPE’s Acting Director of Research Sarah Ryan outlined four main risks of AI for workers.

Watch her full presentation:

Jobs and training

Jobs dominated by women are twice as likely to be affected by AI, because women are concentrated in clerical, administrative and business support roles that can be automated.

Full-time workers in permanent jobs are more likely to get training than part-time and precarious workers. Training will be essential for workers who lose their job or need new skills because of AI.

Electronic monitoring

New “bossware” tools use unprecedented electronic surveillance. Employers can monitor keystrokes, listen to conversations, and track employee movements, emotions or attention.

Ryan warned senators that workers who are low income, younger, have disabilities, or are Black or racialized are more likely to be monitored.

Algorithmic management

AI is reshaping the relationship between employers and workers, said Ryan. Employers are using unaccountable algorithmic management systems to automate hiring and discipline decisions, set workers’ schedules, evaluate their work, and more.

Bias and discrimination

Bias and discrimination may be baked into the data that feeds AI systems and the algorithm that processes data. Some U.S. workers are suing because AI tools discriminated against them based on race, age and disability. Many algorithms are business secrets and are not transparent to workers, unions or even the employer.

Invasive workplace monitoring and algorithmic management can intensify work, increase stress and harm workers’ psychological well-being, Ryan warned.

Protecting workers’ rights

CUPE is calling on the federal government to:

pass laws that prohibit employers from using algorithmic management systems to make significant decisions about workers.
require employers to disclose information about AI systems.
require employers to audit algorithmic management systems for bias and discrimination audits before using them.
require AI corporations to disclose any incidents or risks related to bias and discrimination.
strengthen our social safety net, including Employment Insurance.

Ryan emphasized that individual workers can’t take on AI systems alone. While CUPE fights for laws that protect us all, members can also negotiate protections in their collective agreement using our AI bargaining guide.

Find all CUPE’s tools and resources on AI at cupe.ca/ai.

CUPE celebrates National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week

Tue, 14 Apr 2026 10:19:34 -0400

For National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week, held April 12–18, 2026, CUPE is celebrating the work of emergency dispatchers. Thanks to the dedication and fortitude of these professionals, thousands of people receive help in the most critical moments of their lives.

“These men and women demonstrate exemplary professionalism,” said Isabelle Beaudoin the president of the CUPE 9-1-1 committee and vice-president of the Syndicat des fonctionnaires municipaux de Montréal, CUPE 429, and herself an emergency dispatcher. In praise of her peers, she added: “They stay the course even when calls are difficult and the emotional load is heavy. It is simply remarkable what they do. We’re honoured to recognize their tenacity, and we thank them for being there, day after day.

“Their work makes a vital difference in people’s lives,” said Robin Côté, president of CUPE’s Conseil provincial du secteur municipal, CPSM, reminding us of these professionals’ direct contribution to society. “We are extremely grateful for their dedication.”

CUPE Québec’s 9-1-1 committee represents 700 dispatchers working in emergency call centres across Quebec, including in Montréal, Laval, Longueuil, Gatineau, Trois-Rivières and Lévis, as well as in most municipalities in the Lanaudière, Laurentian and Montérégie regions.

Over 2,200 long-term care workers now on strike across Nova Scotia

Tue, 14 Apr 2026 10:02:13 -0400

Long-term care workers represented by CUPE at 24 homes across the province are now on strike, with more expected to follow in the coming days.

For picket line locations please visit: https://ltcc-ns.cupe.ca/

CUPE library workers call on Alberta Government to reconsider problematic legislation

Fri, 10 Apr 2026 16:00:00 -0400

Dax Law, CUPE 70 Library Director, spoke to reporters on how Bill 28 will impact library workers who will have to make sense of the confusing, vague, and problematic legislation.

Bill 28 will require the physical segregation of library materials the government deems “explicit” and will make those materials inaccessible to the public unless they go through library staff.

“Right now, we have no clear understanding of how many items in our collections would be affected,” said Law. “But we do know this will mean that adults would be forced to ask library staff for permission to borrow a book or movie the government has decided is too ‘graphic.’”

Sue Gouw, CUPE 70 President, said, “For workers, this new system would mean constantly being pulled away from essential services like helping patrons and running community programs to act as gatekeepers. That’s not what library staff signed up for.”

Law continued, “We are trained professionals. We have been handling questions about age-appropriate materials for decades without issue. As library staff, our focus is on helping people find the right book, not blocking them from what the government decides is the wrong one.”

Law also touched on a new and troubling element of Bill 28: the potential for library inspections and professional consequences for staff.

“This possibility creates a chilling effect in our workplace,” said Law. “Instead of being able to support intellectual freedom, workers may feel pressure to over-restrict access to avoid complaints or investigations. That’s not good for staff, and it’s not good for the public.”

“We’d like the government to work with library professionals,” said Gouw. “Library staff have decades of experience managing collections responsibly. Instead of imposing top-down rules, the government should trust that expertise and support libraries in continuing to serve their communities.”

Gouw finished, “At its core, Bill 28 is unnecessary, unworkable, and creates more problems than it solves. It increases workload, threatens privacy, and restricts access to information. We are calling on the government to reconsider this legislation and work with library professionals, not around them.”

Register now! Dollars and Sen$e Conference

Mon, 30 Mar 2026 16:15:00 -0400

The National Secretary-Treasurer’s office, along with CUPE Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta, is hosting its first-ever conference on local finances for executives in the Prairie regions.

The conference will offer three days of expert guest speakers and dynamic workshops that will equip executive members with the information and skills they need to carry out financial responsibilities and to feel confident making good financial decisions.

This event is designed for all local executive members, not just financial officers and trustees. With two streams of workshops, there is something for everyone.

Don’t miss out – register now!

International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination

Mon, 16 Feb 2026 14:00:00 -0500

On March 21, 1960, police in Sharpeville, South Africa, opened fire and shot dead 69 people peacefully and courageously demonstrating against pass laws imposed by the government’s racist legal system known as apartheid. This massacre stands as a stark reminder of the deadly consequences of racial discrimination.

The International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination honors the lives lost that day and calls on individuals, communities, organizations and governments to fight all forms of racial discrimination.

Understanding racial discrimination

Racial discrimination happens when someone is treated differently or unfairly because of factors like ethnic origin, the colour of their skin, or their language. Racial discrimination takes many forms, including racial profiling, jokes or favouritism.

Systemic racism is woven into the structures and institutions of our society and is less visible. But its impacts on Indigenous, Black and racialized people are all too real. These include precarious employment, inadequate housing and health care, violence, overrepresentation in the criminal justice system, and violations of migrant workers’ fundamental rights.

CUPE’s commitment to fighting racism

Racism persists in our communities, workplaces, and our union. CUPE is committed to fight all forms of racial discrimination. Our union stepped up our work on this commitment with CUPE’s Anti-Racism Strategy. The strategy’s 10 goals provide a comprehensive six-year road map for challenging and dismantling systemic racism.

To mark March 21, CUPE recognizes the contributions of Indigenous, Black and racialized members who have strengthened our movement with new ideas and perspectives and have helped break down barriers by promoting inclusion and equity.

Act

Fighting racism requires all of us to step up. Here’s how you can make a difference:

Speak up. If you are facing or witnessing racism, discrimination or harassment, contact your steward to file a grievance or a complaint.
Engage. Help put CUPE’s Anti-Racism Strategy into action in your local. Be inspired by its 10 goals to make changes in your workplace.
Read our new fact sheets about building a more representative CUPE, and use the tips in your local.
Educate yourself. Take part in Union Education workshops to learn more about anti-racism and how you can intervene when you witness discrimination.
Send a message to the Liberal government demanding status, not scapegoating, for migrant workers

March 21 isn’t just a day of remembrance, it’s a call to action. Together, we can build a union and a society where racial justice is not just an ideal, but a reality for ourselves and future generations.

Resources

Order our new guide to bargain employment equity language that helps ensure your workplace represents the diversity of your community.
Order free copies of CUPE’s poster, buttons and stickers for the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.
Check out CUPE’s solidarity and action guide about temporary foreign workers in our union.
Download the CUPE colouring page in honour of March 21.
Check out our Black History Month resources.

World Water Day

Mon, 16 Feb 2026 07:30:00 -0500

Safe, reliable drinking water and wastewater services are human rights under international law. They are also the heart of healthy communities. But these rights are denied to many Indigenous communities in Canada.

It’s a national disgrace that any Indigenous communities have unsafe water. Some communities have lived under boil water advisories for decades. While some boil water advisories have been lifted, long-term investment in infrastructure and training is required for First Nations to have stable and self-sufficient water systems.

Instead, the federal government is denying it has any legal responsibility and wasting money fighting First Nations that are suing for their right to safe water.

CUPE stands with Indigenous peoples in proclaiming “Water is life” and recognizing water as a basic human right for all people. Our union will work towards reconciliation by honouring Indigenous peoples’ role as the stewards and protectors of the waters of their treaty lands and traditional unceded territories. CUPE supports Indigenous peoples in their fight for access to safe, clean drinking water – a fight that has been going on for far too long.

Across Canada, cities and towns are under growing pressure to privatize water services. CUPE has a proud history of defending public water and wastewater services. The vast majority of municipal water systems are publicly owned and operated, many run by CUPE members. We must fight to keep them public.

We must be on the lookout for contracting out and public-private “partnerships.” Inadequate federal and provincial funding has left municipalities facing budget crunches, and corporations are using this as a chance to sell their privatization schemes. We can stop the spread of privatization by bringing water and wastewater work back in house.

We must also prioritize clean water and fight the corporations that continue to pollute the waterways that are our life sources.

On World Water Day, we urge CUPE members to protect water as a human right and a public service.

Take action:

Share CUPE’s Water is life resources about the ongoing struggles of Indigenous peoples, and how CUPE members can listen, learn and act.
Check out CUPE’s tools to reverse privatization including our workshop and guide Bring our work in house: How to stop contracting out.