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.
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.
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.
The 2025 UNE Local Presidents’ Conference is just a few short weeks away!
This three-day event will be packed with presentations, workshops and training that will enhance your leadership skills, give you the knowledge and tools to help you and your members. It is also an opportunity for all Local Presidents, or their designates, to come together, engage in activism, and gain a deeper understanding of our Union’s structure and operations.
📅 When: April 10-13, 2025 📍 Where: Hotel Saskatchewan, Regina, Saskatchewan
Each UNE Local is invited to send a Local President or designate to attend.
Apply online by Friday, March 7, 2025!
All Expenses Covered!
UNE is proud to fully cover the costs of your participation, including:
✅ Flights and transportation ✅ Accommodation and meals ✅ Loss of salary reimbursement ✅ Childcare support
Travel & Expense Details:
✈️ Your travel to the airport is covered! If you drive, track your kilometers and provide a google map of your trip. If you take a taxi, keep your receipt. (Please note: Unionized taxi companies are preferred over services like Uber.) 🚗 If you plan to drive to the Conference, pre-approval from UNE Events is required.
💰 Upon registration, an advance cheque will be provided to cover your per diem covering meals that are not provided. 👶 On-site childcare is available, or UNE will cover childcare expenses at home while you attend the conference.
As we take time this month to honour and recognize Black legacies and leadership, CAPE and the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists also wanted to carve out time to have an important discussion on how Black members can build and take power in our current unions, as well as how to defend ourselves with the union as our vehicle.
Black, Indigenous, and racialized members are encouraged to attend and be prepared to ask questions on this theme.
We hope that you can join for this important discussion on concrete actions we can take. We’ll be joined by Chris Wilson from the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists and Alisha Kang, the president of the PSAC component Union of National Employees.
Some key questions we’d like panelists and participants to discuss:
How do you succeed in developing Black union leadership? What do we mean by leadership (rank and file, elected officials, staff, etc.)?
How do you succeed in organizing other Black members? What are some strategies to connect?
How do you stay connected and involved with other Black leaders and activists in the labour movement?
How can Black trade unionism influence electoral outcomes?
Wednesday, February 26 5 to 7 pm ET Hybrid – at the CAPE national office and online
First come first served for in-person attendance. For people attending in person, a light dinner will be served. If you selected to attend in person but our capacity has been reached, you will receive a Zoom link to attend online instead.
Alisha Kang is president of the Union of National Employees with over 27,000 members coast to coast and 80 collective agreements as well as holding a lead role in the Federal Black Employee Caucus. A published author, Alisha is a single parent and is most proud of her 22-year-old son Kael, a budding activist studying Law, and her 26-year-old daughter Kyrro, a scientist on the autism spectrum.
Christopher Wilson (he/him) is a workers’ rights advocate, community activist and lawyer with over 25 years experience in the labour movement. Christopher is a member of the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists where he led the Green is Not White Research project that has engaged over 3,000 labour and community activists in participatory workshops to confront Environmental Racism.
