CFPA Membership

Become a member

In 1946, a precedent-setting arbitral award of Justice C Rand established the means by which unions would be supported through compulsory payment of dues from the employees represented by their union. The “Rand Formula” makes it a condition of employment that all employees in a bargaining unit pay union dues whether or not they are union members.  Thus, just because you are paying union dues does not necessarily mean that you are a member of a union.  In order to become a member, you must submit an application form.

There are three membership categories. These categories are defined in the CFPA Constitution. 

  • Regular: Regular Members are those who pay the dues. They shall have all the rights and privileges of membership, including the right to vote and hold office.
  • Associate: Any Regular Member who has retired from his/her position, or has changed his/her position or employer, or has become ineligible for membership because of promotion, may become an "Associate Member". "Associate Members" shall pay an annual fee of twenty-five dollars ($25.00) to the Association but shall not be entitled to vote or hold office in the Association or be entitled to the rights of a regular member. In addition, a regular member who has entered Long Term Disability (LTD) Status automatically becomes an associate member and is provided limited Services within the power of the association in accordance with article 7.5. The fee for this associate membership shall be waived as long as the member is on LTD status. Members who advise the National Office in writing that they have been placed on LTD by the employer shall have the basic benefits package, as normally provided by the union for Regular members, maintained at no cost to them, for 24 months from the date of commencement of their LTD; and
  • Honourary: Any Regular Member or former Regular Member may be named an Honorary Member if so agreed by a majority vote of the Board at a regular Board Meeting. Honorary Members shall not pay fees nor are they entitled to vote or hold office in the Association.