CUPW is gearing up for its flagship education initiative, the Union Education Program (UEP), which will take place over four weeks in 2026. The Program is intended to build leadership capacity in our Union.
Designed to develop knowledge and skills for union activists, the UEP’s intensive experiential learning curriculum focuses on current labour and social issues. The Program seeks to provide a setting to discover and hone tools to combat social and economic injustice; explore the connections between societal systems and oppressive practices; and orient union solidarity in a clear and open direction, to effectively combat exploitation and oppression and fight for a better world.
The Union Education Program is not a tools-based program. You will not learn about the specifics of Collective Agreement issues.
The objectives of the UEP are to increase our knowledge of:
- The labour movement
- The world, politics and economics
- Struggles for social and environmental justice
It deconstructs concepts that form part of our accepted belief system, but which need to be questioned, such as:
- Capitalism
- Neoliberalism
- Colonialism
- Patriarchy
- Systemic discrimination based on race, gender, sexual orientation, ability, age, or faith, among others
Here are some of the abilities the UEP focuses on:
- Debating skills
- Leadership capacity
- Public speaking
- Media literacy
- Campaign development
- Re-connecting with ourselves, each other, the land and nature
- Building solidarity
- And having fun while exploring all of these and many other aspects of labour activism!
Who Should Apply?
We strongly urge local leaders and activists to consider applying to the UEP.
A Word of Caution
Before applying, take a moment to consider how you will manage this rigorous and challenging study. The learning process is transformative and requires participants to confront uncomfortable truths about the world, their work, and themselves. We encourage you to assess whether you are in a position to manage the intensity of the program without feeling overwhelmed or turning the experience into a strictly personal focus. We encourage everyone to apply, but only if you feel psychologically ready to engage fully, process the material in a healthy way, and contribute meaningfully to collective growth.
Eligibility
All CUPW members in good standing are eligible to apply.
Prerequisites
Applicants need to have successfully completed at least two CUPW courses to be considered.
Other relevant criteria include membership in an equity-seeking group and activist experience outside CUPW.
Where and When?
The UEP will take place in the beautiful region of the Eastern Townships of Quebec, in Orford, at the Manoir des Sables. Here is the schedule for the 2026 edition:
- Week 1: August 15 – 21, 2026
- Week 2: October 18 – 23, 2026
- Week 3: November 15 – 20, 2026
- Week 4: December 14 – 18, 2026
Participant Expenses
The Union Education Fund pays the following costs for participants:
- Lost wages
- Meals and accommodation at the Manoir des Sables
- Travel costs to and from the Manoir des Sables
- Childcare and elder care expenses as per the CUPW National Constitution, Article 7.63.
Application Form
You can obtain an application form either from your local president or download it from https://www.cupw.ca/en/UEP-2026-Form
Deadline
Your application must be submitted by April 1, 2026 to:
By email to: lmorin@cupw-sttp.org with the words UEP Application in the subject line or,
By post to:
Lynda Morin
Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW)
377 Bank Street – Ottawa, ON K2P 1Y3
Solidarity,
Coleen Jones 2nd
National Vice-President