About CUPE

The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) is Canada’s largest union.

With around 600 000 members across Canada, CUPE represents workers in health care, education, municipalities, libraries, universities, social services, public utilities, transportation, emergency services and airlines.

A strong and democratic union, CUPE is committed to improving the quality of life for workers in Canada. Women and men working together to form local unions built CUPE. They did so to have a stronger voice – a collective voice – in their workplace and in society as a whole.

Together they have won the right to negotiate their wages and working conditions; to stop arbitrary action by employers; and to speak out without fear of reprisal.

CUPE members are service-providers, white-collar workers, technicians, labourers, skilled trades people and professionals. More than half of CUPE members are women. About one-third are part-time workers.

CUPE is a modern, dynamic and sophisticated union with more than 70 offices across the country.

Workers, united through CUPE, have the clout and expertise to deal with the growing complexities of our global economy.

To learn more about CUPE Canada visit www.cupe.ca

CUPE Ontario logo

Who is CUPE Ontario?

CUPE Ontario is the political wing of the Canadian Union of Public Employees—Canada’s largest union—in the country’s most populated province. ...
Group of people

What does your Union do for YOU?

  If you haven’t been one of the many people to reach out to the union for support this past...
Image of the word 'union'

Unions in Canada

History of Unions Unions have been part of Canadian economic life since before Confederation in 1867. The first unions were...

Union Roles and Responsibilities

  The “job” of all union leaders is to advance their members’ interests. Well-run union locals solve workplace problems and...
Image of a dictionary

Glossary of Union Terms

  ARBITRATION: A method of settling disputes through the intervention of a third party whose decision is final and binding...
Letter tiles spelling out the word 'equality'

Equality Statement

Union solidarity is based on the principle that union members are equal and deserve mutual respect at all levels. Any...