Meetings and Conventions

Information about CUPE Manitoba meetings and conventions

CUPE MB Grace Hartman Women & Gender Rights Conference: Dec 4, 2023

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This week is the 48th anniversary of Grace Hartman‘s election in 1975 as the national president of CUPE — the first woman in North America to lead a national union.


We are pleased to announce the Grace Hartman Women & Gender Rights Conference: Dec 4, 2023 in Winnipeg, Treaty 1. 

This conference was mandated by a 2022 convention Executive resolution to hold a Women’s Conference in Grace Hartman’s name in December 2023. The newly renovated auditorium at the Union Centre in Winnipeg is the venue.

A Conference Call with registration information is forthcoming and will be sent to all Affiliates.

Upcoming CUPE MB Committee Meetings / Exec Board Election

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CUPE members and Locals are advised of the following upcoming CUPE Manitoba Committee meetings and the Election Caucus for the vacant Executive Board Young Workers Diversity Vice-President position.

Please note that Notice for the October 29 Young Workers’ Election Caucus for the vacant Executive Board position was provided to all Affiliates on September 22, 2023.

Please also note that the Indigenous Council had been meeting in joint meetings with Human Rights/Equity committees, but there is now a separate Indigenous Council meeting Nov 13 at 7:30 pm online.

To RSVP or if you have any questions, please email info@cupe.mb.ca

CUPE Manitoba Mobilizing for Change: It’s up to us

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Highlights from the 2023 CUPE Manitoba Convention

Brandon, Manitoba, Treaty 2 – Over two hundred union activists and friends from across Manitoba gathered May 17 – 19, 2023 in Brandon, Treaty 2 Territory, for the annual convention of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) Manitoba.

“37,000 CUPE members from across the province are mobilizing and fighting back against the Stefanson government’s years of attacks on working people in Manitoba,” said Gina McKay, President of CUPE Manitoba.

“There is no worker in Manitoba who hasn’t been negatively impacted by Premier Stefanson’s neglect of health care, education, social services, child care, crowns, and municipalities, and we won’t stand for it any more”.

Delegates discussed critical issues including chronic understaffing and underfunding in health care, schools, child care, social services, and threats of privatization.

Delegates heard from Judy Henley, President of CUPE Saskatchewan & General Vice-President for Prairies about experiences in Saskatchewan with how terrible Private Public Partnerships (P3s) have been for schools.

Wab Kinew, Leader of the Manitoba NDP addressed delegates following a standing ovation, and committed to delegates that if the Manitoba NDP are elected to form government in October, the NDP would bring in new P3 accountability legislation to protect schools, save money, and put a stop to privatization. 

“Manitobans deserve to have an accountable and transparent government, and the Stefanson Conservatives have hidden numbers from the public, whether how many staff are short in our health care system, or how much P3 schools will cost,” said Gina McKay.

“Wab’s commitment to openness and transparency means Manitobans can count on a government that looks out for all of us”.

CUPE National President Mark Hancock spoke to delegates, encouraging them not to take the upcoming election for granted.

“Manitobans go to the polls later this year”, said Hancock.

“In the months ahead, it’ll be our job to remind folks about how much damage the Conservative government has done to workers’ rights”.

“You’ve endured seven years of Conservative government here in Manitoba, under Premiers Pallister and Stefanson.  Improving the lives of workers has not been their priority,” said Candace Rennick, CUPE National Secretary-Treasurer.

“I urge all locals to get involved in this election, to engage your members on the issues and in the campaigns in their areas.”

Convention began with traditional greetings and a territorial acknowledgment from Elder Kevin Tacan. Delegates were also greeted by Kirk Carr, President of the Brandon and District Labour Council, Bea Bruske, President of the Canadian Labour Congress, Bernie Wood, Canadian Labour Congress Manitoba Representative, and Kevin Rebeck, President of the Manitoba Federation of Labour.

On the first day of Convention CUPE members from across Manitoba joined with CUPE 737 (Brandon School Division), Brandon Pride, Sexuality Education Resource Centre, and Knox United Church –  Brandon in a protest march against a dangerous proposal before the Brandon School Division that seeks to ban books with life-supporting 2SLGBTQI+ content.

“Our members, especially those that work in libraries and education know how important access to 2SLGBTQI+ books are to youth,” said McKay.

“The proposed book ban is based in really harmful false narratives about identity-affirming literature in our schools and libraries, and we want to show that our union and our community will not stand for homophobia and transphobia anywhere”.

Special greetings were presented from Jagmeet Singh, Leader of the Federal NDP, and Leah Gazan, Member of Parliament for Winnipeg Centre.

Malaya Marcelino (NDP critic for Labour and Immigration, MLA for Notre Dame) also stopped by the convention to meet with delegates.

Marcelino shared how the NDP caucus is ready to form government and will rely on CUPE members to share their stories, ideas, and suggestions from the front-lines on how to build a better province for everyone.

Laura Walton, President of the Ontario School Board Council of Unions (OSBCU) spoke to delegates about the 2022 Ontario school division strike, emphasizing the strength of worker power, grassroots member mobilizing, and fearlessness in the fight against injustice.

Thomas Linner of the Manitoba Health Coalition outlined many of the Stefanson government’s attacks on our public health care system and encouraged delegates to keep up the important work fighting for a strong, public health care system.

Members continued to break ground in the labour movement, building on our safer spaces commitments to ensure all CUPE events are safer, inclusive, more accessible. A member-led Safer Spaces room with daily programming quickly became a productive place for union members to fully participate.

Programming in the Safer Spaces room also included a featured presentation by Solange Machado from the Manitoba Harm Reduction Network (MHRB), on the importance of building in Harm Reduction services into our Union, workplaces, and communities.

Other featured speakers included former CUPE Manitoba & CUPE National President, Paul Moist, and 2nd Vice President of CUPE Ontario, Tiffany Balducci, who shared both the history of CUPE 1963-Present, and building CUPE into the future.

Other special guests included CUPE National’s Diversity Vice President for Indigenous Workers’, Debra Merrier, Kent Peterson, CUPE Saskatchewan and Regional Vice President for Saskatchewan, CUPE Senior Health & Safety Representative Andréane Chénier, First Vice President of the Hospital Employees’ Union (HEU), Bill McMullan, as well as Jennifer Chen, NDP candidate for Fort Richmond

CUPE Manitoba members learned about political action organizing from Lonnie Patterson (CUPE 737, and President of the Manitoba NDP), Brandon Murdock (CUPE Manitoba Indigenous Representative, CUPE 2348 Vice President, and CUPE National Young Worker Committee), and Daniel Richards (CUPE Manitoba 2SLGBTQI+ Representative, 2ndVP of CUPE 204, and CLC National Political Action Committee).

CUPE Manitoba was proud to present the annual Jack Rodie Award at the Convention’s 60th Anniversary Banquet to Michelle Bergen of CUPE 998 in recognition of her long-standing commitment to the labour movement.

“We have passed a great number of resolutions, and this is the change we hoped to see, and the progress we hoped to bring to our union as we work stronger together in Manitoba.”

“CUPE has never been more ready to take on the Stefanson government,” concluded CUPE Manitoba President Gina McKay. “Our delegates voted unanimously to endorse the Manitoba NDP as the only political party in Manitoba ready and willing to fight for Manitoba workers”.

More photos are available at the CUPE Manitoba Facebook Page

Elected, re-elected, and acclaimed members to the CUPE Manitoba Executive during Convention include:

President – Gina McKay, CUPE 2348
Secretary-Treasurer – Mylene Holmes, CUPE 204/500
Recording Secretary – Christie Bachynski, CUPE 500
Trustee ­– Natina Pelletier, CUPE 4270
Winnipeg Area “B” – Carmen Prefontaine, CUPE 500
South Central Area – Teresa Massinon, CUPE 4270
Eastern Interlake Area – Gordon Meneer, CUPE 998
Indigenous Council – Brandon Murdock, CUPE 2348
Racialized Representative – Karen Brown, CUPE 204

Congratulations to all!

CUPE Manitoba delegates raised over $2,000 for Ndinawemaaganag Endaawaad (Ndinawe)

 

 

Save the Date: May 16 Political Action, Election Readiness Workshop

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Election Readiness Session 

Tuesday, May 16 

1-4pm 

Keystone Centre, Brandon 

Manitoba Election 2023 is fast-approaching.

  • Learn foolproof methods to activate members.
  • Talk about technical details and rules.
  • Join with members across the province to build skills and talk strategy.
  • Target the issues and campaigns that matter most to members.

Every CUPE local in Manitoba has an important role to play.

It’s time to plan, prepare and proceed.

Let’s win for workers in 2023!

To secure your attendance: 

When you register for the CUPE Manitoba Convention 2023, check off that you will participate in the Political Action workshop (at bottom of online registration form).

CUPE Manitoba committed to fighting austerity, growing our movement

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Highlights from the 2022 CUPE Manitoba Convention

Over two hundred union activists from across Manitoba gathered on October 20-22 in Winnipeg, Treaty 1 Territory, for the annual convention of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) Manitoba.

“The energy this week has been nothing short of inspiring” said Gina McKay, President of CUPE Manitoba. “Our union has so much work to do, and I can proudly say it is getting done by this engaged, dedicated, and committed group of activists.”

Convention began with Elder Albert McLeod, a long-time human rights activist and Two-Spirit advocate, who helped open Convention and share teachings on courage to do the work in a good way. The first day featured CUPE National President Mark Hancock, CUPE National Secretary-Treasurer Candace Rennick, as well as Debra Merrier, CUPE Diversity Vice-President – Indigenous Workers and Judy Henley, National Executive Board General Vice-President–Prairies.

“All across Manitoba, CUPE members are fighting back against the Conservative government” said Mark Hancock, CUPE National President. “CUPE Manitoba is leading the way in breaking the Conservative government’s bargaining mandate, and their attempt to restrict our members’ wages even as the cost of living rises.”

CUPE Manitoba President Gina McKay and CUPE National President Mark Hancock

“Whatever issues you take on, CUPE will be there with you,” Candace Rennick, CUPE National Secretary-Treasurer told delegates. “You can count on CUPE’s national strength and resources to fuel your union work—you can count on support for bargaining, representation of members, and for all your campaigns for justice.

Niall Harney, Errol Black Chair in Labour Issues with the Canadian Centre for policy Alternatives discussed research on a living wage for communities in Manitoba, and Shila LeBlanc, restorative approaches practitioner, gave delegates essential tools for restorative approaches to conflicts.

“This year’s convention centred the critical work of re-building our union and focusing on creating safer, more inclusive spaces for all workers,” said President Gina McKay.

Candace Rennick, CUPE National Secretary-Treasurer

“Our constitutional changes, the way we run meetings and decolonize our structures, and the resources we are building all make our union stronger, and delegates participated in a constructive and meaningful way”.

Members debated resolutions over the course of three days, including major constitutional amendments to advance CUPE’s work to make our union safer and more accessible to all workers. Resolutions also committed CUPE Manitoba to the fight against the Progressive Conservative attacks against public services and the workers who provide them, including new campaigns and lobbying efforts.

Wab Kinew, Leader of the Manitoba NDP addressed delegates following a standing ovation, noting CUPE members’ work on the front lines defending workers during the pandemic.

Kinew noted the relationship between the Manitoba NDP and labour is critical in pushing back against the government’s legislative agenda which sought to undermine public Hydro, the public school system, health care, and push wage freezes on front line workers.

Other guests included Laura Tyler from Communities Not Cuts, Diwa Marcelino from Access Without Fear & Migrante, Rebecca Benson, CUPE Senior Human Rights Officer – Indigenous Issues, and Debra Merrier, CUPE National Diversity Vice-President – Indigenous Workers discussed both building a stronger, more progressive movement for everyone, and CUPE’s upcoming work in Manitoba on the Water is Life campaign.

CUPE Manitoba President Gina McKay presents the 2022 Jack Rodie award to Jamie Rose of CUPE 737

Convention also featured Kevin Rebeck, President of the Manitoba Federation of Labour, Melissa Dvorak, President of the Winnipeg Labour Council, and Bernie Wood from the Canadian Labour Congress.

Delegates heard from Angela McEwan, Senior Economist – CUPE National, and John Clarke, activist with the Ontario Coalition Against Poverty on the impacts of inflation, and how workers can fight back to make society fair for everyone.

CUPE Manitoba was proud to honour Jamie Rose of Local 737 with the prestigious Jack Rodie award in recognition of his long-standing commitment to the labour movement.

Bernadette Smith (NDP MLA for Point Douglas), Uzoma Asagwara (MLA for Union Station), Mintu Sandhu (MLA for The Maples), Lisa Naylor, (NDP MLA for Wolseley) , and Jennifer Chen (WSD School Trustee and NDP Candidate for Fort Richmond) also stopped by the convention to meet with delegates.

“With the mandate from our CUPE Manitoba Convention, we have the power to make positive change in our union, and for our community,” concluded Gina McKay. “CUPE Manitoba is stronger and more united today than ever before, and we are committed to the work ahead of us”.

More photos are available at the CUPE Manitoba Facebook Page

Elected members to the CUPE Manitoba executive during Convention include:

Vice-President – Debbie Boissonneault, CUPE 204
Recording Secretary – Steve Magian, CUPE 744
Trustee – 1 year term – Rick Moore, CUPE 731
Winnipeg Area 1 “A” – Vivienne Ho, CUPE 2348
Brandon Area – Brittany Aube, CUPE 3060
Northern Area – Clayton Paul, CUPE 745
North-Central – Nick Ogryzlo, CUPE 998
2SLGBTQI+ – Daniel Richards, CUPE 204
Indigenous Council – Brandon Murdoch, CUPE 2348
Person with a Disability – Robert (Bob) Guenther, CUPE 744
Young Member – Tom Moore, CUPE 744
Woman and Gender Rights – Michelle Bergen, CUPE 998

Congratulations to all!

CUPE Manitoba Elects Gina McKay as New President

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CUPE Manitoba is pleased to announce the election of Gina McKay (she/her) as the next President of Manitoba’s largest labour union.

Delegates at the CUPE Manitoba Convention held October 20th – 22nd elected Gina McKay to represent the union’s 37,000 members.

“I am honoured to receive the confidence of CUPE members from across Manitoba to lead our union,” said McKay. “We have a lot of work to do as activists, and we are committed to fighting for the rights of all workers in Manitoba.”

McKay currently works as the Labour Director, at the United Way Winnipeg, and is a member of CUPE Local 2348, serving as Recording-Secretary and previously served as the local’s President.  McKay was recently elected as the Equity Vice-President for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Two-Spirit, Intersex Workers of the Canadian Labour Congress, and sits on CUPE’s National Pink Triangle Committee.

“I am committed to building unity in the labour movement and am dedicated to ensuring we work stronger together to fight back against governments who push austerity and regressive legislation and attacks on working people in Manitoba,” said McKay. “The provincial Conservatives have tried to divide workers in Manitoba and undermine public services, and I’m here to say we are more united than ever.”

McKay is a queer, Métis activist and has worked on LGBTQ2+ issues with CUPE at the local, provincial and national level, with the Manitoba Federation of Labour, the Winnipeg Labour Council, with the CLC and even internationally with Public Services International’s LGBTQ2+ contingent to the UN Commission on the Status of Women.

The new CUPE Manitoba Executive Board are:

President:                    Gina McKay, CUPE 2348

Vice-President:           Debbie Boissonneault, CUPE 204

Secretary-Treasurer:  Mylene Holmes, CUPE 204 & 500

Recording Secretary:  Steve Magian, CUPE 744

Trustee, 3-year:          Theresa Proctor, CUPE 204

Trustee, 2-year:          Jesse Barnett, CUPE 69

Trustee, 1-year:          Rick Moore, CUPE 731

Area Representatives:

Winnipeg Area Representative:         Vivienne Ho, CUPE 2348

Winnipeg Area Representative:         Linda Durham, CUPE 2153

South-Central Area Representative:  Lisa Sibbald, CUPE 5238

Eastern/Interlake Representative:      Gord Meneer, CUPE 998

Brandon Area Representative:           Jamie Rose, CUPE 737

Northern Area Representative:          Clayton Paul, CUPE 745

Equity Representatives:

LGBTQ2+ Representative:                             Daniel Richards, CUPE 204

Person with a Disability Representative:       Bob Guenther, CUPE 744

Young Member Representative:                    Cody Clay, CUPE 731

Racialized Workers Representative:              Karen Brown, CUPE 204

Indigenous Representative:                           Tricia Merritt, CUPE 204

Woman/person who identifies as
woman Representative:                              Michelle Bergen, CUPE 998

 

CUPE is Manitoba’s largest union, represents approximately 37,000 members working in health care facilities, personal care homes, school divisions, municipal services, social services, child care centres, public utilities, libraries, and family emergency services.

Statement from Abe Araya, CUPE Manitoba President on the cancellation of the CUPE Manitoba virtual convention

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The CUPE Manitoba Executive have unanimously voted to cancel our upcoming convention scheduled for Friday, November 20, 2020.

While we have important work that needs to get done as a union, we know that our members and activists are on the front-lines fighting against COVID-19, and right now that’s where they’re needed most.

Although our convention was to be held virtually, with all of Manitoba under an unprecedented Code Red, we felt it prudent to cancel this convention until a future date, when our members can fully participate in the work of our union.

We encourage all our members to continue contacting us and your workplace representatives throughout these challenging times. Your voices are critical in ensuring we can continue to hold government and employers accountable. And indeed, you are making a big difference in the lives of workers and families province-wide.

Thank you and feel free to reach out to me any time.

In Solidarity,
Abe Araya
President of CUPE Manitoba

CUPE Manitoba Convention Postponed – COVID-19

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The CUPE Manitoba Annual Convention scheduled for April 15-17, 2020, will be postponed to a later date.

Out of an abundance of caution related to the COVID-19 pandemic, CUPE Manitoba will not be holding our annual convention until the pandemic has subsided, or until health authorities recommend such gatherings can take place without potentially putting participants at risk of contact with COVID-19.

CUPE Manitoba is the province’s largest public sector union, representing workers in health care, long-term care, K-12 education, post-secondary education, municipalities, crown services, child and social services, and more.

Our members care for vulnerable populations, and CUPE Manitoba takes COVID-19 very seriously.

Health authorities have suggested “social distancing measures”, which include the avoidance of large, prolonged group gatherings.

“Members should rest assured that the postponement of the CUPE Manitoba Convention does not mean that the work of the union has stopped,” says Abe Araya, President of CUPE Manitoba.

“CUPE Manitoba will continue to represent our members, hold government to account, and continue to advocate for strong protections for members who work in sectors with increased risk of contact with COVID-19.”

CUPE encourages all members to avoid misinformation, and read more about COVID-19 from official sources.  CUPE Manitoba also encourages members to follow the recommended guidelines (with the links below) for disease prevention which includes washing your hands.

Government of Canada:  https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/2019-novel-coronavirus-infection/being-prepared.html

Government of Manitoba:  https://www.gov.mb.ca/health/coronavirus/

Shared Health: (including resources for health care staff):  https://sharedhealthmb.ca/health-providers/coronavirus-resources/

For more information related to CUPE Manitoba’s Convention, contact CUPE Manitoba at
204-560-2140.

2020 Spring/Summer Education Calendar

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Union education means union power!

The power to defend out rights as workers, to protect the services we provide, and to build caring communities.

This year’s Spring/Summer Education Calendar covers a range of topics that will make our union stronger by equipping CUPE activists with new skills through course materials, and sharing with each other.

To attend any of these courses, contact your Local President to learn how.

Download the full 2020 Spring/Summer Education Calendar here

Courses include:

2020 CUPE Winter School (see Winter School Brochure)
➢ Gimli | February 20 – 23, 2020 | Lakeview Gimli Resort & Conference, 10 Centre Street

Advanced Steward Learning Series
• Challenging Racism in the Workplace
• Challenging Sexism in the Workplace
• Disability and Ableism in the Workplace
➢ Winnipeg | March 26 & 27, 2020 | Union Centre, Room 103-275 Broadway

• Duty of Fair Representation
• Representing Members in Front of Management
• What Stewards Need to Know about Arbitration
➢ Dauphin | May 14 & 15, 2020 | CUPE Dauphin Area Office, 121 1st Street S.W.
➢ Winnipeg | June 11 & 12, 2020 | Union Centre, Room 103-275 Broadway
BARG – At the Bargaining Table
➢ Winnipeg | May 21 & 22, 2020 | Union Centre, Room 103-275 Broadway
Conflict Resolution
   ➢ Winnipeg | May 7 & 8, 2020 | Union Centre, Room 103-275 Broadway
Register online at www.cupe.ca
Duty to Accommodate
➢ Winnipeg | March 5 & 6, 2020 | Union Centre, Room 103-275 Broadway
➢ Brandon | April 30 & May 1, 2020 | CUPE Brandon Area Office, 1911 Park Avenue
Financial Essentials and Financial Officers
➢ Winnipeg | April 30 & May 1, 2020 | Union Centre, Room 103-275 Broadway
➢ Brandon | May 7 & 8, 2020 | CUPE Brandon Area Office, 1911 Park Avenue
Hot Topics: Attendance Management
➢ Winnipeg | March 12, 2020 | Union Centre, Room 103-275 Broadway
➢ Brandon | March 19, 2020 | CUPE Brandon Area Office, 1911 Park Avenue
➢ Dauphin | April 23, 2020 | CUPE Dauphin Area Office, 121 1st Street S.W.
Introduction to Health and Safety
➢ Winnipeg | February 27 & 28, 2020 | Union Centre, Room 103-275 Broadway
➢ Brandon | March 12 & 13, 2020 | CUPE Brandon Area Office, 1911 Park Avenue
Introduction to Stewarding
➢ Brandon | February 27 & 28, 2020 | CUPE Brandon Area Office, 1911 Park Avenue
➢ Winnipeg | April 8 & 9, 2020 | Union Centre, Room 107-275 Broadway
Retirement Planning
➢ Brandon | April 8 & 9, 2020 | CUPE Brandon Area Office, 1911 Park Avenue
➢ Winnipeg | June 4 & 5, 2020 | Union Centre, Room 103-275 Broadway
Social Media
➢ Winnipeg | April 23 & 24, 2020 | Union Centre, Room 103-275 Broadway
➢ Brandon | June 4 & 5, 2020 | CUPE Brandon Area Office, 1911 Park Avenue

Abe Araya Elected as President of CUPE Manitoba

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BRANDON – Delegates at the 2019 CUPE Manitoba Convention in Brandon elected Abe Araya as President of the province’s largest union. Abe Araya comes from CUPE Local 110, representing custodians, maintenance, and painters at the Winnipeg School Division.

“Our union is focused on fighting back against cuts to health care, education, social services, and privatization,” said Araya. “Despite Brian Pallister’s attempts to divide working people, we will be uniting workers from across Manitoba to put a stop to Pallister’s austerity agenda.”

Delegates at convention voted in support resolutions, ranging from health and safety in the workplace, anti-oppression training for activists, pushing back against privatization, fighting against health care and education cuts, and supporting the Green New Deal.

“CUPE is an incredibly diverse union,” said Araya. “With the strength of Manitoba’s largest union, we will be on the front line defending public health care and education, public Hydro, and fighting for properly funded childcare and social services for all Manitobans.”

CUPE’s annual convention featured guest speakers, including NDP leader Wab Kinew, NDP Critic for Infrastructure and Municipal Affairs Matt Wiebe, NDP Member of Parliament for Winnipeg Centre Leah Gazan, Winnipeg School Division Trustee Yijie Chen, and Manitoba Health Coalition Director Breanne Goertzen.

CUPE National President Mark Hancock and CUPE National Secretary-Treasurer Charles Fleury spoke to delegates, committing the full strength of CUPE’s 700,000 members to fight against cuts and privatization.

Manitoba Federation of Labour President Kevin Rebeck provided updates on labour’s united front against Bill 28 (The Public Services Sustainability Act) and committed to fight against the Pallister government’s unconstitutional wage freeze.

Two hundred people rallied outside Brandon City Hall with CUPE Local 69 on Wednesday evening, voicing concern over the contracting out of work at the Wheat City Golf Course.

Gord Delbridge, President of CUPE Local 500 served as interim CUPE Manitoba President throughout 2019. Delbridge continues to serve as Vice-President of CUPE Manitoba. Barb Gribben of CUPE Local 737 was this year’s recipient of the prestigious Jack Rodie Award, recognizing dedication and activism in the union.

“Our union is stronger, and more united than ever,” said Araya. “Manitobans can count on CUPE to defend good jobs, and fight for our public services.”

The Canadian Union of Public Employees is Canada’s largest union representing more than 700,000 members.  In Manitoba, CUPE represents over 36,000 members working in health care facilities, personal care homes, school divisions, municipal services, social services, childcare centres, public utilities, libraries and family emergency services.