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The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) is Canada's largest labour union. In 2025 it had 800 000 members and 68 offices across the country.
History
The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) was founded in 1963 with 86 000 members as a merger of the National Union of Public Employees and the National Union of Public Service Employees.
Members and Functions
The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) members are employed mainly in municipal and provincial governments and their agencies, and in schools, universities, hospitals, nursing homes, electrical utilities, libraries, social service agencies and airlines.
CUPE's main functions have been to bargain collectively for improved working conditions and to press for progressive labour and social legislation.
(See also Public-Service Unions.)
