For immediate release February 5, 2025
WINNIPEG, TREATY 1 – The union representing 19,000 health care support workers in Manitoba is welcoming the government’s move to change leadership at Shared Health and the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority.
“For too long the health authorities have been replacing dedicated front-line health workers with private agency staff, and we are pleased to see the government’s efforts to ensure a change in direction,” said Shannon McAteer, Health Care Coordinator for the Canadian Union of Public Employees.
CUPE is also hoping this change in health care leadership will ensure that health care facilities will address the ongoing staffing crisis that results in short staffing.
“Every day we get reports from front-line health care workers that there are not enough staff on shift,” said Margaret Schroeder, President of CUPE 204 representing support staff in the WRHA and Shared Health. “Whether it’s a health care aide or a unit clerk, we need the new leadership to crack down on facilities for understaffing because that impacts both patient care and the safety of health workers”.
CUPE is looking forward to meeting with the new health care leadership to ensure a constructive relationship moving forward.
The Canadian Union of Public Employees is Canada’s largest union representing more than 740,000 members. In Manitoba, CUPE represents approximately 37,000 members working in health care facilities, personal care homes, home care, school divisions, municipal services, social services, child care centres, public utilities, libraries, and family emergency services.
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For information, contact: Dale Edmunds, CUPE Media Contact at 204-915-7429
DE/wkp/cope 491