The Canadian Association of University Teachers (CAUT) is pleased to continue offering online courses to member associations without charge:

• Organizing School 101 (January 19 – February 9, 2026)
• Collective Bargaining (February 23 – 27, 2026)

Course descriptions, schedules and registration links can be found below.

ORGANIZING SCHOOL 101 (January 19 – February 9, 2026)

Ongoing organizing with membership is critical to your association's capacity for collective action. It's also key when advocating for diversity, equity, inclusion, collegial governance, academic freedom, and other social justice causes. This course looks at how to increase the engagement of your association's members and strengthen your association as a whole.

During this three-week foundational course, you will: 

• Assess your association based on an “organizing model” and analyze your workplace
• Identify organic leaders within your association 
• Practice the five steps to conducting one-on-one conversations with members 
• Develop strategies to move members up the ladder of engagement 
• Improve internal, two-way communication strategies within the association 
• Create a campaign and an organizing plan

Course schedule

Participants attend four 1.5h webinars and complete online learning modules alongside colleagues from across Canada:

Registration — Organizing School 101 (January 19 – February 9, 2026)

To register, complete the online registration form before January 6, 2026.

COLLECTIVE BARGAINING (February 23 – 27, 2026)

Your association's collective agreement outlines the rights of its members. It also specifies the obligations of the employer. But negotiating an effective collective agreement means thorough preparation and practice honing the skills needed at the bargaining table.

In this intensive one-week course, you will:

• Review bargaining fundamentals
• Delve into the legal framework governing collective bargaining in your province
• Analyse your current collective agreement
• Identify the steps to developing a strong bargaining mandate
• Learn strategies for effective communication to ensure team unity and to engage with members and stakeholders
• Develop a plan to manage the negotiation process
• Identify best practices for preparing a bargaining proposal
• Take part in a dynamic simulation of collective bargaining through a realistic round of negotiations

Course Schedule

This course begins with a brief welcome webinar. Participants are asked to complete a series of online learning modules before taking part in the following two three-hour webinars:

Participants come away with practical skills to negotiate an effective collective agreement. Participants with little or no negotiation experience are given the opportunity to develop bargaining, language drafting and teamwork skills and to practice facing the dynamics of the bargaining table.

Following the completion of this course, a follow-up strategy session may be scheduled for your association with one of CAUT’s Senior Labour Relations Officers to address specific concerns and issues. 

Registration — Collective Bargaining (February 23 – 27, 2026)

To register, please complete the online registration form before February 6, 2026.

YUFA members who have any questions about the above courses can contact YUFA at [email protected]