What does CUPE union mean?

The Canadian Union of Public Employees
The Canadian Union of Public Employees is Canada’s largest union, with 700,000 members across the country. CUPE represents workers in health care, emergency services, education, early learning and child care, municipalities, social services, libraries, utilities, transportation, airlines and more.

Is CUPE a government union?

CUPE is the major union for direct government employees and provincial crown corporations in New Brunswick and Quebec. In most other provinces, the provincial affiliates of the National Union of Provincial and General Employees (NUPGE) are the predominant unions representing direct government employees.

Is CUPE a trade union?

The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE, French: Syndicat canadien de la fonction publique) is a Canadian trade union serving the public sector – although it has in recent years organized workplaces in the non-profit and para-public sector as well.

What are the benefits of union dues?

Union dues are monthly contributions members make to the union based on their working status. By paying union dues, members pool their resources to ensure protection of the group as a whole and achieve fair wages and benefits, safe working conditions and representation.

How do you join the CUPE union?

In order to join CUPE, you must complete, sign and date a CUPE membership card. Once CUPE has received cards from at least 50% of employees, CUPE will file an Application for Certification. When CUPE files the Application the membership cards are sent to the Ontario Labour Relations Board (OLRB) with the Application.

How do I know if I’m a union member?

The best sources for answers about the union can often be the Members at the venue. Your Union Steward or other leaders in the union may introduce themselves and explain their roles with the union and offer to answer any questions that you may have.

How are union dues determined?

Elected officials of the union set union dues and typically hover around 1-2%. The most common structure – including Unit – sets dues as a percentage of gross earnings. If dues are 1%, workers pay $1 for every $100 earned.

What is a union in Canada?

Unions begin with you That’s why unions were created to stand up together for fair wages, safe workplaces and decent work hours. There are millions of union members in Canada who know that by standing together, they can accomplish great things for themselves and all workers.

What are union dues used for?

Union dues may be used to support a wide variety of programs or activities, including paying the salaries and benefits of union leaders and staff; union governance; legal representation; legislative lobbying; political campaigns; pension, health, welfare and safety funds and the union strike fund.

What are union dues in Canada?

Dues are 1.55 per cent of gross wages plus 2 cents per hour worked. For example, if you are working 40 hours a week and your weekly earnings are approximately $1000, your weekly dues are 1.55 per cent of $1000, which works out to be $15.55, (plus 2 cents per hour worked).

Why do we pay dues?

Your dues pay for expenses incurred in contract negotiations, servicing members, legal fees, organizing new members and communications… just to name a few in a very long list. It is wrong to assume that you merely pay dues as a return investment for financial gain.

What are union dues for?