Your local union steward is a fellow CAPE member who volunteers to represent the union in your workplace.
They know the people, the dynamics, and they're in a position to help you navigate workplace issues. That's a powerful resource, and we want to make sure CAPE is using it to its full potential.
This fall we’re launching the Empowered Steward Pilot Project. Beginning in October, stewards from five locals will go through advanced training and ongoing coaching so they can step into a bigger role: identifying problems early, helping members resolve workplace issues, and when needed, supporting members in taking the first steps in the grievance process.
That means more direct support getting to members when it matters most.
Most federal public sector unions, including PSAC and PIPSC, already train stewards to handle these kinds of matters. CAPE has consulted with other unions to learn from their experience and build a model that fits our membership. The pilot is how we test it, learn from it, and get it right before rolling it out more broadly.
Last year, CAPE's National Executive Committee voted to move forward with this new model, and we've spent the past twelve months building it.
Locals 512 (HC/PHAC), 514 (ESDC), 900 (TR), 515 (LoP) and 531 (OPBO) were selected to participate, giving us a cross-section of CAPE's membership.
During this pilot project, members should continue to reach out to representation@acep-cape.ca for advice and representation assistance as usual.
Participating locals will receive more information as training progresses and new phases roll out.
If you have questions, contact us at general@acep-cape.ca. And if you're interested in becoming a steward or getting more involved with your local, reach out to your local or contact CAPE's labour liaison officer at jcourty@acep-cape.ca.
This is how we build a stronger union, one workplace at a time.
