Join CUPE!

How to join CUPE

Your right to join a union is protected by law. Joining CUPE is as easy as following these steps

Get in touch

Contact the CUPE office nearest you and you will be put in touch with a CUPE representative. The rep will tell you if you are eligible to join CUPE and answer all your questions about joining a union.

Sign a card

You will be asked to sign a union card – and to talk with your co-workers about joining CUPE. The cards are strictly confidential—only the provincial labour relations board sees them. Your employer never sees the cards or the list of people who have joined the union. It’s a secret. That’s the law.

Collect more cards

A majority of employees in a workplace must sign cards before the union can be formed. The exact number of employees needed to certify the existence of the union is set by labour board regulations in your province. Your CUPE rep will tell you about regulations in your province. With the help of people like you, your rep will collect signed cards.

Make your application

Once there are enough cards, your CUPE rep makes a formal application to the provincial labour board to be represented by CUPE. The labour board will review the application and either order a membership vote or certify the union automatically, depending on the province.

You’re on your way!

Once the labour board issues a certificate of unionization (congratulations!) you will be able to form your CUPE local, elect your executive and bargaining committee, and start negotiations with your employer for a CUPE contract. The employer is legally bound to bargain with your union in good faith.

Joining CUPE is the best thing you can do to improve your job and the jobs of your co-workers. Start improving your job now by getting in touch with CUPE today.

More questions?

For more information contact the CUPE Office in your area, or one of the Executive Officers of CUPE New Brunswick.