Labour education builds solidarity and knowledge. It teaches the skills unions need to represent their members and defend their rights using proven methods that allow adults of all backgrounds to learn. If your union wants to train the next generation of local activists or expand the skills that today’s leaders and activists already have, the CLC Winter School 2027 is here to help your union succeed.
The CLC Pacific Region Winter School is the largest labour school in Canada and we take pride in offering the very best in labour education.
Date
Sunday, January 17, 2027 to Friday, January 22, 2027
Location
Harrison Hot Springs, 100 Esplanade Ave., B.C. V0M 1K0
Fees
Single Accommodation: $2,385.00
We will not be offering Shared Accommodation for the 2027 Winter School.
To change or cancel a registration after December 16, 2026, you must contact the Pacific Region office at pacific@clcctc.ca
Cancellations received after January 1, 2027 will be subject to a $350.00 cancellation fee.
Registrants must have the approval of their union before registering.
Community Savings Credit Union Scholarship
Kim Manton Memorial Scholarship
One Movement Threads “Movement Builder” Scholarship
CUPE BC 2027 Young Workers Scholarship
Child Care:
Free child care is provided at Winter School for eligible delegates with children ages 12 months to 12 years. An eligible delegate is a single parent, a parent not accompanied by a spouse/companion, or where both parents are delegates. While the CLC will pay the actual childcare costs at the school, students will be responsible for any additional hotel charges for their child. Delegates having additional childcare costs as a result of leaving their children at home should apply for reimbursement from their own union.
There is a limited number of spots available in the childcare program. Spots will be assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. Delegates requiring child care must pre-register and indicate child care on their registration form. Requests for child care do not constitute guaranteed spots in the childcare program. The deadline for childcare registrations is December 4, 2026. Requests received after this deadline will only be accommodated if there is room in the childcare program. Cancellations are required and must be received 14 days in advance of your attendance at Winter School. Failure to cancel booked childcare space(s) will result in a “no-show fee” of $300.00.
*Childcare arrangements may not be able to accommodate special needs, but please contact the Pacific Region office for more information.
Please be aware that should unforeseen circumstances arise due to staffing issues, there is the possibility that childcare coverage may be cancelled without advance notice. Participants wishing to utilize the childcare program should keep alternate arrangements in mind, just in case.
COVID Policies & Requirements:
We will be following all provincial health requirements at the 2027 Winter School. As provincial requirements do change on short notice, we encourage all affiliates to remain up-to-date. We will provide updates on our website regarding any changes to health requirements for the school. All participants should be prepared to comply in the event a mask and/or vaccine mandate is reintroduced in B.C. If changes to the COVID requirements make a participant unable to attend, the standard cancellation policy will apply. At this time, we are strongly encouraging all participants to be fully vaccinated, to help protect themselves and others.
Courses Offered:
Facing Management Effectively
This course will look at economic, political, and social forces at play between union and management. It will examine the roles and rights of each group and the different types of union/management relationships and styles. We will look at the power, bias, and privilege dynamics between union and management and how we can communicate effectively. We will focus on problem solving – understanding issues, developing strategies, finding and presenting facts and argument, finding areas of agreement, building solutions, implementing and maintaining solutions. Participants can expect lots of participation, interaction, and role-plays along with practical skills and tools for communication, analysis, strategy, and critical thinking.
Parliamentary Procedure & Public Speaking
This is a two-part course. Parliamentary Procedure covers how to run a meeting effectively, the duties of a chairperson and secretary, and how the rules of order can provide a democratic and fair process to get the business of the union accomplished. Public Speaking covers how to speak persuasively to various groups and how different formats are used to speak at convention, debates, and impromptu gatherings.
There is a scholarship available for this course through the CLC Pacific Region office. Please see the Frank Wall Leadership Development Scholarship information on page 20 of the Winter School brochure for details or visit our website at: www.winterschool.ca/registration.
A Path to Reconciliation: Standing in Solidarity with Indigenous Peoples
This course is for allies, including non-Indigenous activists, to learn the history of Indigenous peoples of Turtle Island (North America). Facilitated by Indigenous labour activists, its purpose is to build meaningful, long-term relationships among Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples inside and outside of our workplaces, with the aim of acknowledging labour’s commitment to Truth and Reconciliation. This course supports the decolonization of Indigenous peoples and the increase of Indigenous peoples’ representation in our workplaces and in our unions. Participants do not need any previous experience and are encouraged to bring open minds and hearts.
The Role of Unions in Workplace OH&S Advocacy
This workshop will provide participants with a solid worker-centred foundation in the essential principles of occupational health and safety (OH&S), ensuring the voices of workers remain at the heart of OH&S conversations.
This course is grounded in both provincial and federal OH&S legislation and is appropriate for members of joint health and safety committees, job stewards, local executives, union staff, and others seeking a solid framework in OH&S.
Key Learning Objectives:
• Legislative Leverage: Understand the application of relevant OH&S legislation to hold employers accountable and strengthen systems of internal responsibility.
• Committee Excellence: Analyze and implement the key elements of a high-functioning committee, from running effective meetings to ensuring timely resolution of health and safety issues.
• Defending the Right to Refuse: Strengthen the procedure for refusing unsafe work and develop strategies to overcome employer resistance and protect members.
• Incident Investigation & Inspections: Hone skills for conducting thorough incident investigations that uncover root causes and perform safety inspections that target systemic risks.
• Strategic Hazard Control: Identify workplace hazards, assess risks, and develop, propose, and advocate for advanced, sustainable control measures and solutions.
• Union Strategies for OH&S.
Steward Training Level 1
The steward is often the main point of contact between the union, its members, management, and the larger labour movement. This course builds the skills, confidence, and knowledge a steward needs to represent their members. Participants will learn the roles and responsibilities of their position as stewards, the handling of grievances and complaints, problem-solving skills, protecting contractual provisions in the collective agreement, and current issues for stewards.
Steward Training Level 2
This course is for experienced stewards, business and assistant business managers, local officers, and stewards with considerable experience handling grievances. You will practise more advanced grievance-handling skills using real life case studies and role plays. Participants will discuss discipline grievances, harassment, drug and alcohol issues, and different styles of management. The course will deal with procedures before the process of arbitration. Please bring your collective agreement with you. Knowledge of the first stages of the grievance procedure will be assumed.
Pre-requisite: Steward Training Level 1 or equivalent course.
Transforming Conflict into Union Solidarity
This course is designed to help you see conflict through a transformative lens. While many view disputes as challenges, this course teaches you to recognize them as opportunities. Delve into the nuanced world of conflict, understanding that its nature isn’t inherently negative – it’s the outcomes we craft that define the experience. Explore your personal conflict style, the nuances of power and privilege, and the intricate dynamics that arise in group confrontations.
Through immersive exercises, learn the art of deep listening, the strategy behind pinpointing root causes, and the finesse of coaching individuals to unearth shared interests. Move beyond mere conflict resolution and empower yourself to transform disagreements into proactive union activism, using shared passions as a catalyst.
Women in Leadership
This course offers an opportunity to develop and enhance participants’ leadership skills and knowledge around a variety of current and emerging labour issues. A major component of the course will cover communication and motivational skills that are important for women activists. Participants will explore ways of building on their skills and drawing on their experiences as they advance along the path to leadership and consider running for an elected position or supporting others who run. Whether you’re thinking of leadership within your union, your community, or in politics, this course is for you.
There are two scholarship opportunities available for this course:
CUPE 402 has established a scholarship for this course through the B.C. Federation of Labour. Interested applicants should contact the BCFED or download the scholarship information package and application form from our website: www.winterschool.ca/registration.
There is a scholarship available for this course through the B.C. Federation of Labour, in partnership with the Victoria Labour Council. Interested applicants should contact the BCFED or download the scholarship information package and application form from our website: www.winterschool.ca/registration.
Register Online