/
Our National Union

Our National Union

Canada’s Largest Union

CUPE BC is the British Columbia provincial division of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE). Founded in 1963, CUPE is Canada’s largest union, with 715,000 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.

Browse the national website for more information about CUPE.

How Responsibility is Divided in CUPE

The National Union supports locals with labour relations, education, communications, and research assistance. CUPE BC provides advocacy and representation on a provincial scale, supporting locals with government relations, community outreach, and other services. CUPE locals are the primary voice of the CUPE members within their workplace and communities, and other than a very small number who do not affiliate provincially, each operates with the support of both the National Union and provincial division.

More information about the work of the National Union can be found on the national website.

Democratic Governance

The National Union’s governance structure features biennial conventions, an elected executive board inclusive of regional representation, a system of advisory committees, and a range of additional representation mechanisms.

Information about the National Union’s governance structure is available on their website.