CUPE School
The basics:
What is CUPE School?
The CUPE School program is open and free to all political members of the Local and includes workshops, trainings, and teach-ins geared towards building your union skills.
CUPE School is about building power with your co-workers from across UofT, including members of CUPE 1230 and CUPE 3261.
In the past, we’ve offered workshops on the History of Trade Unionism and How to Organize Your Workplace, Conflict Resolution, Bargaining Training, and more. Keep an eye out for upcoming sessions.
CUPE 3902 Basics workshop, Fall 2024.
Fall 2025
October 28 to 30, 2025
Course Descriptions >>
Launched last year as part of our Action Plan, this initiative is meant to empower and educate members through learning, discussion, and creativity—all while strengthening the 3902 community.
This time, you can learn about grievances, moving workers to action, making labour posters, and more!
Tuesday, October 28
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What does a steward do? This introductory workshop will guide you through your responsibilities as the first line Union Representative in your department and advocate for worker's rights.
This training is mandatory for new stewards. -
How does the local prepare proposals? What goes on during negotiations?
In this workshop, you will learn about the bargaining process, from figuring out worker's demands from the back and forth with the employer to understand what goes on at the table.
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How does your local work?
Learn about your local and your union, from its inner structure to its active campaigns. Understanding the local's processes, roles, and terminology will benefit you as a member of 3902 and as a worker.
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What is the difference between the GSU insurance and the CUPE Top-up? How do you add dependents? What (and when) is the blackout period?
Join this session to understand how your benefits work, how to submit claims, and much more!
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What does an investigation process entail? Who will be involved?
Learn about key legal concepts and terms, and the role of stewards during an employer’s investigation, when discipline is given, and during grievance meetings.
Wednesday, October 29
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What does organizing look like on the field?
With this workshop, you will learn what it takes to approach workers, meet them where they are through one-on-one conversations and, most importantly, move them to act on their issues and needs.
-
How does the local prepare proposals? What goes on during negotiations?
In this workshop, you will learn about the bargaining process, from figuring out worker's demands from the back and forth with the employer to understand what goes on at the table.
-
How does your local work?
Learn about your local and your union, from its inner structure to its active campaigns. Understanding the local's processes, roles, and terminology will benefit you as a member of 3902 and as a worker.
-
What is the difference between the GSU insurance and the CUPE Top-up? How do you add dependents? What (and when) is the blackout period?
Join this session to understand how your benefits work, how to submit claims, and much more!
-
What does an investigation process entail? Who will be involved?
Learn about key legal concepts and terms, and the role of stewards during an employer’s investigation, when discipline is given, and during grievance meetings.
Thursday, October 30
-
What does organizing look like on the field?
With this workshop, you will learn what it takes to approach workers, meet them where they are through one-on-one conversations and, most importantly, move them to act on their issues and needs.
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You can't just build power on good intentions. Organizing needs clear goals, strategic planning, and structured tests to engage workers. Join this workshop to learn the steps to plan winning campaigns from the ground up in order to beat the boss!
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How to act and, most importantly, how to intervene when witnessing harm in the workplace? Learn the role of respect, aggression, intention, and intervention to understand what to do and what not to do as a bystander.
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Join this workshop to become familiar with the role of the Joint Health & Safety Committee in protecting workers’ right to a healthy & safe workplace. Through this interactive session, you will learn about workplace inspections, hazard reporting best practices, making recommendations under the law, and other preventative and emergency actions.
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Did you know grievances could be solved in a non-litigious manner? Sometimes working behind the scenes can help! From workload reviews to organizing petitions, learn about different strategies that help resolve grievances in a way that is agreeable to both parties before even filing it.
If you have any questions, please email Claudia Vásquez-Caicedo, your General Vice President, at gvp@cupe3902.org.
Past Sessions
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