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Convention: Purpose, What Happens, and Why Your Participation Matters

Convention is the highest decision‑making body of our union. Every three years, delegates from across the country come together to review our By‑Laws and Policies, debate resolutions, and approve the budget that guides UNE’s work. In a regular cycle, Convention is also when delegates elect the National Executive.

This year, delegates will carry out the same important Convention work. Because UNE is currently placed under Trusteeship, the election for the National Executive may take place at a later date. If that happens, only members who are accredited as delegates for the 2026 Convention will be able to vote — even if the vote occurs on a different day. This Convention is especially important. The decisions we make in August 2026 will help set the foundation for how we rebuild and move forward as a strong, member‑focused union. Your involvement — whether as a delegate, a resolution writer, or an engaged member — truly makes a difference.

Union of National Employees: A Union Like No Other

We represent over 23,000 members working in 73 different workplaces, with as many collective agreements. Our members work in the public sector, the private sector, and the non‑profit sector. They work in every region of this country — and even around the world.

This diversity is one of our greatest strengths. But it also means that democracy is essential to how we function. We need voices from every workplace, every region, and every type of job to help shape the decisions that affect all of us.

That’s why your participation matters so much.

And that’s also why we extended the registration deadline — because not all Locals have sent someone yet, and we don’t want anyone to miss the opportunity to take part in the Convention that represents you.

What Happens at Convention

In August, delegates work together to make decisions that guide UNE for the next three years. They will:

  • Debate and vote on resolutions submitted by group of members
  • Approve the budget that sets our priorities and supports our activities

These decisions shape how we support members, how we grow, and how we continue building a strong, inclusive union.

Why Your Resolutions Matter

Resolutions are one of the most important tools members have to influence the direction of UNE.

A resolution is simply an idea or proposal for change. It can be something you want to improve, something you want to add, or something you want the union to do differently.

Every resolution submitted is reviewed by the appropriate Convention Committee before the Convention:

  • Finance Committee
  • General Committee
  • By‑Laws and Policies Committee

Each resolution is evaluated, discussed, and prioritized for debate at Convention.
If you have ideas for improving our union, this is your moment to share them.
 Click here to learn how to write and submit a resolution.

Deadline Update

You haven’t registered yet — you still can.

You haven’t sent a resolution yet – you still can.

We want you there. Your voice, your experience, and your perspective matter.

Convention is stronger when all members are represented, and we want every Local to have the chance to participate.
Click here to see the requirements for a Local to send at least two members to Convention.

You can register until May 29th 2026.

Thank You for Being Part of This Journey

Convention is where we come together to make decisions that shape the future of UNE, and an excellent opportunity to connect with fellow activists and build lasting relationships. Whether you’re attending as a delegate, submitting a resolution, or simply learning more about the process, your involvement strengthens our union.

Click here to go back to the list of articles.

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May Day 2026: When workers unite, we all win

On May Day, also known as International Workers’ Day, we reflect on what we have won together and on the power of collective action to create change in our workplaces and communities.  

We mark May Day to honour the roots of our movement. On this day in 1886, in Chicago, Illinois, workers took to the streets in a general strike to fight for an eight-hour workday. Their protest was met with violence from anti-union forces determined to stop these protections from becoming reality.  

But when workers stand together, we are powerful. And when we stay united in the face of backlash, we can win lasting change.  

One hundred and forty years later, the eight-hour workday is the standard for many workers, and the labour movement continues to fight to protect these rights and expand them for everyone.  

The eight-hour workday is just one example of what workers have won through organizing. Workers are who secured weekends, maternity and parental leave, health and safety laws, employment standards, and so many other protected rights that we benefit from today.  

PSAC has a long and proud history of helping raise the bar for workers across the country.  

In 1980, over 10,000 PSAC members in clerical and regulatory jobs, positions primarily held by women, organized and took action for equal pay. They won wage increases for themselves and their coworkers and helped spark broader demands for pay equity across the public service.  

In 2026, we carry that struggle forward. We are working to protect the public services that make our country strong. We’re fighting for flexible work arrangements. We are pushing back against the misuse of risky AI technologies that threaten good union jobs. And we’re demanding safe and healthy workplaces for all.  

Today, we recommit ourselves to the solidarity that anchors our movement. Together, we can create change in our workplaces and strengthen our communities and our country.  

We do that by growing our movement and staying united. 

Want to join the campaign to protect public services and workers’ rights? Visit ForYouCanada.ca to sign up and take action. 

Print PSAC’s 2026 May Day poster!

Source: PSAC

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Day of Mourning 2026: Psychological health and safety matters at work

On April 28, workers across Canada mark the National Day of Mourning. We remember those who have been injured, made ill, or killed because of their work, and we recommit to fighting for the living.  

This year, we are highlighting an important truth: psychological health and safety is a core part of occupational health and safety. Work-related stress, burnout, harassment, violence, and exposure to trauma are still too often treated as just part of the job. These are real workplace hazards that can cause serious psychological harm, and they must be prevented like any other occupational health and safety risk.  

We also know that physical injuries can lead to psychological harm. Living with pain, trauma, long recoveries, or dealing with drawn-out workers’ compensation cases can take a significant toll on mental health, leading to stress, anxiety, or depression. That’s why physical and psychological health must be addressed together.  

PSAC and UNE join the Canadian Labour Congress in urging all levels of government to treat psychological health with the same seriousness as physical health under occupational health and safety and workers’ compensation legislation. That means addressing psychological hazards in the workplace through prevention, risk assessment, enforcement, and stronger protections for workers.  

PSAC and UNE are committed to fighting for safer workplaces where both physical and psychological health are protected. To find out how to take action in your workplace, contact your local, check out PSAC’s health and safety toolkit, or learn more about the work PSAC members do at the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS).  

Day of Mourning ceremonies are happening across the country. Visit the Canadian Labour Congress’ website to find one near you. 

Source: PSAC

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2026 UNE Triennial Convention: Registration Deadline Extended

Good news, UNE members.
The registration deadline for the 2026 UNE Triennial Convention has been extended.

New registration deadline: May 29, 2026

This extension gives more UNE members the opportunity to vote for their delegates. Delegates will register and take part in the Convention, where important discussions and decisions about the future of our union will take place.

Click here to register online now!

Click here to see how to get to convention.

If you have any questions about 2026 Triennial Convention contact us at events@une-sen.org.

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Registration open for 2026 PSAC National Young Workers Conference

The 2026 PSAC National Young Workers Conference will be held November 7-9, 2026, in Ottawa under the theme Young Workers: Taking Power, Challenging Norms. 

PSAC members in good standing who are 35 and under are invited to register. During the conference, delegates will take part in workshops, debate resolutions, and participate in elections. The conference is an opportunity for young workers to continue the important work of building union militancy and activism and strengthening the fight to improve the working conditions of all PSAC members.

Inscription

Young workers interested in attending the conference as delegates or observers must apply by Friday, May 29, 2026. Selected delegates will be notified by email by September 1, 2026. 

How to submit a resolution

All resolutions must be submitted by Friday, June 19, 2026. 

If you have any questions about applying or attending the conference, call (613) 560- 2597 or contact us by email at conferences@psac-afpc.com.   

UNE young workers: don’t miss your chance to be part of this national conversation. Register today and help drive the change you want to see.

Source: PSAC

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2026 Manitoba & Saskatchewan Regional Seminar – This Week in Winnipeg

This week, UNE delegates from locals in Manitoba and Saskatchewan are gathering in Winnipeg for the 2026 Regional Seminar. Over three days, participants will explore practical tools, share experiences from their workplaces, and strengthen the connections that support effective representation.

The seminar is designed to help delegates build confidence in their roles, deepen their understanding of key issues, and leave with what they need to move forward:

  • clearer knowledge of their rights and responsibilities
  • answers to the questions they bring from their locals
  • new contacts and support networks across the region
  • a stronger foundation as they prepare for the 2026 Convention

We’re looking forward to a productive and energizing week together in Winnipeg — and to seeing the ideas, relationships, and momentum that delegates will carry back to their locals.

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International Women’s Day 2026 — Where Are We Now?

Every year on March 8, UNE joins a global movement that began more than a century ago — rooted in labour activism, collective struggle, and the fight for equality. International Women’s Day has never been only a celebration. It has always been a call to action.

In 2026, that call still matters.

Across UNE, women continue to shape our union through their leadership, their advocacy, and their everyday contributions. We are proud of the women who strengthen our movement — but pride alone isn’t enough. Equity requires action, solidarity, and honest conversations about where we are and where we still need to go.

Women remain an equity‑seeking group in workplaces across Canada, including within our own union structures. Progress is real, but so are the gaps. And while representation has improved, representation alone doesn’t guarantee equity. The work continues — on the shop floor, in leadership spaces, and in the everyday interactions that shape our workplaces and communities.

What Has Changed — and What Hasn’t

Across UNE, we’ve seen meaningful steps forward:

  • More women stepping into leadership roles
  • Stronger equity language in collective agreements
  • Growing awareness of gender‑based barriers
  • Increased visibility of Indigenous, racialized, 2SLGBTQIA+, and disabled women’s experiences

But we also see the ongoing challenges:

  • Pay inequity that persists across sectors
  • Disproportionate caregiving responsibilities
  • Harassment and discrimination that remain underreported
  • Barriers to advancement, especially for marginalized women
  • Workplaces that still default to systems built without women in mind

These realities remind us that equity isn’t a milestone — it’s a practice.

Equity is a union issue.
When any group faces systemic barriers, the entire labour movement is weakened. When we remove those barriers, we strengthen our collective power.

At UNE, solidarity means showing up for each other — not only when it’s easy, but when it requires reflection, learning, and change. It means listening to women’s experiences, believing them, and acting on what we hear. It means recognizing that gender equity intersects with race, class, disability, sexuality, and culture.

A Conversation Worth Having

This year, we’re inviting UNE members to reflect with us:

  • What does progress look like in 2026?
  • Where are the barriers still showing up?
  • How do we build a union where every woman — every sibling — can thrive?

These aren’t rhetorical questions. They’re an invitation to shape the future of our movement together.

Moving Forward, Together

International Women’s Day is a reminder that equity doesn’t happen by accident. It happens through collective action, shared responsibility, and the courage to keep pushing for better.

We’re proud of the women in UNE. We’re proud of the progress we’ve made.

We move forward when we move together.

Further Reading

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Convention 2026 Is Coming — Get Ready to Shape Our Union’s Future!

The countdown is officially on! In just a few months, UNE delegates from across the country will gather in Montréal for the 2026 UNE Triennial Convention, taking place August 24–28, 2026, at the Fairmont Queen Elizabeth Hotel.

Convention is where members come together, exchange ideas, and help chart the direction of our union for the years ahead. This is your opportunity to bring forward your experiences, your vision, and your voice.

When Convention returns, it brings with it renewed energy, long‑awaited discussions, and the chance to collectively set priorities for the future.

Delegates from locals across the country will debate and vote on resolutions, strengthen our internal democracy, and build solidarity by connecting with fellow members.

Your Local’s Role Starts Now

1. Make Sure Your Local Is in Conformance

To send delegates to Convention, locals must be in conformance by submitting the required financial documents.

2. Electing Delegates and Alternates

Delegates and alternates must be elected at a general Local meeting. The number of delegates your local can send depends on the number of members in good standing. Larger locals may send up to five delegates.

3. Observers — A Great Opportunity to Participate

Locals in conformance may also send observers at the Local’s expense, not at the member’s personal expense. Observers can attend Convention, follow the debates, and be part of the experience, but they do not participate in voting.

Not sure if your local is sending observers?
Ask your local representative — you might be pleasantly surprised!
Many locals welcome the opportunity to include more members in Convention activities.

Submit Your Resolutions — Your Ideas Matter

Locals are encouraged to form a resolutions committee (often 3–5 members) to review and prepare proposals from the membership. Locals may also create theme‑specific committees, such as for constitution & bylaws or finance. After debate and adoption at a general membership meeting, resolutions can be submitted online through the UNE website and must be accompanied by signed minutes.

Montréal Awaits — Be Part of This Moment

The 2026 Convention will bring together hundreds of UNE members in one of Canada’s most vibrant cities. This is our moment to reconnect, recharge, and re‑ignite our shared purpose.

We’re excited to welcome you to Montréal this summer.
Let’s build the next chapter of our union — together and in solidarity.

For more information about convention requirements and timelines, visit the official page.

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Black History Month: from legacy to leadership

This Black History Month, PSAC honours the leadership, resilience and organizing power of Black workers who have shaped Canada’s labour movement and continue to lead the fight for justice today. This year, PSAC’s theme is “Black Voices: Bold Futures – From Legacy to Leadership.” This is a call to recognize the legacy of resistance that has shaped our unions and to center the voices that are charting a bold path forward. 

Historically, many Black workers have fought for fair workplaces and spoken out against racism and discrimination, including during strikes and other human rights fights, earning an important seat at decision-making tables.  

Activists and leaders like Stanley Grizzle and Bromley Armstrong pushed unions and governments to stop racist practices and helped shape what unions bargain for and what they fight for. From the days of railway porters to today, their work helped and continues to achieve a strong base for fair work and anti-racism policies at work. 

The United Nations has launched a new International Decade for People of African Descent (2025–2034), focused on supporting Black communities, breaking down systemic barriers and lifting Black voices in Canada and around the world. Canada has pledged to continue this work until 2028 and is also taking part in this second decade. 

Black members lead allyship and equity work 

Black members are showing what allyship looks like in practice, including at PSAC’s 2025 National Women’s Conference where Black women delegates championed and supported key resolutions to expand domestic violence training, improve access to health care for Indigenous women. Members at the conference unanimously voted in favour of a resolution to formally recognize the contributions of Black women workers.   

Together, with other equity groups, Black members are shaping union policy and bargaining priorities in ways that offer a model for the wider labour movement on how to live up to equity commitments through both words and concrete action.  

At the same time, these past and current achievements don’t erase what Black workers are still facing in Canada’s public service. Black workers continue to deal with lower pay, less access to training, mentorship and chances to grow in their careers, and they deal with employers who ignore or fail to stop anti-Black racism at work. 

We cannot ignore how this year’s federal budget cuts are hurting equity groups, including Black and other racialized workers who are already underrepresented in the federal public service. 

Taking action on anti-Black racism 

This is precisely why PSAC’s ongoing work to center Black voices in our union is so important. We are building on years of organizing, creating space for members to come together, organize, and speak up about the issues that affect them. PSAC’s Black caucus is member-led groups where Black members share experiences, build leadership, and organize around issues like anti-Black racism at work and within the union. 

Our racial justice work also goes beyond our internal union work. We have filed a human rights complaint with the Canadian Human Rights Commission on behalf of all Black federal public service workers, and several other grievances to challenge anti-Black racism. We are pushing employers to fix unfair practices, and are demanding equal access to training, mentoring and career growth for Black workers.  

We are calling on the federal government to settle the human rights complaint to make Black federal workers whole, implement the recommendations of the Taskforce on the Employment Equity Act Review including making Black workers a separate employment equity group, and work with unions and equity groups before making any policy changes that put workers and their communities at risk. The future of Canada’s public service depends on equity, inclusion, and the leadership of those who have long been on the front lines of the fight for justice. 

This is how you can help: 

  • Learn the history of Black people in Canada, including the struggles and victories that have shaped our workplaces and unions. 
  • Challenge anti-Black racism and all forms of discrimination in your workplace, local and community. 
  • Support and amplify Black voices in meetings, bargaining, campaigns, and leadership spaces. 

Source: PSAC