Welcome to CUPE Local 401! Our local represents the Regional District of Nanaimo, City of Campbell River, Town of Ladysmith, Town of Qualicum, City of Nanaimo, City of Parksville, North Cedar Improvement District, Playtime Community Gaming Centres Inc., District of Lantzville and Vancouver Island Regional Library.

   We are all members of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), a national union whose membership exceeds 570,000 workers and is Canada’s largest union. CUPE is made up of more than 2200 local branches of which 401 is one. 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.”