Bargaining

Statement on behalf of Manitoba’s public sector unions on consultations with government

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Feb 10, 2017

At a meeting on January 5th, the Minister of Finance and officials invited Manitoba’s public sector unions to participate in what was referred to as a Fiscal Working Group with a mandate to explore solutions to returning the province’s budget to balance.

In the lead-up to the meeting, we put forward several questions to the Minister to better understand the government’s assumptions and fiscal outlook. The Pallister government’s 2016 budget was the first in many years to not include a five-year fiscal outlook, which would include assumptions and projections for key economic indicators.

On February 9th, one day prior to the first meeting of the Fiscal Working Group, government officials emailed the Manitoba Federation of Labour a letter (dated February 8th) to indicate that the Fiscal Working Group is no longer intended to consider options to improve the government’s fiscal situation, but rather, would focus only on the government’s narrow legislative intentions, which may include reduced worked weeks, predetermined wage settlements, changes to pensions and the re-opening of collective agreements.

By denying basic financial information and changing the parameters of any conversations with government, the Premier and Minister of Finance are preventing labour from participating in a meaningful consultation.

As Manitoba’s public sector unions, we want to work constructively with the province to find a balanced approach – that includes returning to balance over an eight-year period, as committed in the budget – without doing irreparable harm to our schools, hospitals and other public services.

But it seems Premier Pallister is more focused on cuts to public services and reopening signed contracts than protecting those services and the people who deliver them.

For more information, please contact:
The Manitoba Federation of Labour at 204-947-1400

Joint Statement on meeting with Finance Minister Friesen

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Today, Manitoba’s largest public sector unions and the Manitoba Federation of Labour met with the Minister of Finance, at his request.

The meeting was the first of what we expect to be several face-to-face meetings. We are hopeful that future meetings will include the Premier and all of Manitoba’s public sector unions.

In the brief meeting, the Minister maintained the government’s focus on balancing the provincial budget and confirmed that, as reported in the media, they are considering wage freezes, reopening contracts and restructuring bargaining units, but did not provide any additional information.

We reminded the Minister of the Premier’s commitment to respect collective bargaining and protect and improve the public services that all families count on, while balancing the budget over a period of eight years.

Manitoba’s labour movement will continue to ask questions, seek clarification when needed, and always meet with the province in good faith.

Kevin Rebeck – Manitoba Federation of Labour
Kelly Moist – Canadian Union of Public Employees
Bob Moroz – Manitoba Association of Health Care Professionals
Michelle Gawronsky – The Manitoba Government and General Employees’ Union
Norm Gould – The Manitoba Teachers’ Society
Jeff Traeger – United Food and Commercial Workers Union

CUPE Local 2348 (Midwives) reach tentative agreement

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Winnipeg – Midwives, represented by CUPE Local 2348, have voted in favour of a new collective agreement that helps to support midwifery services in Winnipeg.

“After a difficult round of bargaining, we are pleased that we have reached an agreement that all parties deem fair,” said Sheree Capar, CUPE National Representative. “It is our hope that this new agreement will help to recruit and retain midwives in Manitoba.”

Following a strong strike mandate from Midwives on March 11, 2016, a meeting took place with a provincial conciliation officer on March 17, 2016, and an acceptable package was presented. Members of CUPE Local 2348 (Midwives) held a vote March 18-21 2016, to accept the new collective agreement, thereby averting any strike action.

“The provincial government and Winnipeg Regional Health Authority have acknowledged the value of midwifery services in Manitoba, and we will work with them to promote this important health care profession” said Capar. “There continues to be a growing demand from Manitoba families for midwifery, and we are encouraged that the province is working to address this demand”.

The provincial government recently announced $800,000 in new funding towards midwifery training programs in Manitoba, which will help train new midwives to meet the needs of Manitoba families.

“Midwives want to convey the message that midwifery services are available to all Manitobans, regardless of family background or income,” said Capar. “With this new contract, our midwives can get back to helping expectant families with prenatal and postnatal supports, as well as safe deliveries!”

The new contract for midwives will move the profession closer in line with other jurisdictions, making it easier for the WRHA to retain both existing and newly trained midwives in Winnipeg. CUPE Local 2348 worked alongside the Midwives Association of Manitoba (MAM) as well as countless supporters, including families who have used midwifery services, to highlight the value of midwifery in the province and to work towards equitable compensation.

 

CUPE Local 2348 (Midwives) reject employer’s offer, move closer to strike

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Winnipeg – Midwives represented by CUPE Local 2348 have voted to reject their employer’s most recent offer, following a ratification vote held on March 10 and 11.

“Midwives in Winnipeg are sending a clear message that more support is needed for their profession,” said Sheree Capar, CUPE National Representative. “We are falling further behind other jurisdictions in terms of compensation, and the most recent offer doesn’t do enough to catch up”.

At a meeting with a provincial conciliation officer held on March 9, the employer represented by the Provincial Labour Relations Secretariat offered a package that would not adequately address the growing gap between midwifery in Manitoba and other provinces.

“There are countless Manitoba families on the wait list for midwifery services – the demand is there” said Capar. “We need to both train and retain midwives, and ensuring a competitive compensation package is crucial to serving this demand from the public”.

Midwifery in Manitoba has been in the spotlight recently for the shortage of trained midwives in the province. The Provincial Government built a new Birth Centre in Winnipeg, and recently increased funding for midwifery training, but demand far outpaces the supply.

Studies across Canada and the world show that midwifery is an essential part of the health care system, providing professional maternal care to families in all segments of society.

“We have heard from midwives directly that they are choosing other provinces or other health care professions,” said Capar. “Manitoba cannot afford to lose any more midwives, and the WRHA needs to act now to hold on to those we have!”

Midwives in Manitoba fall under Essential Services Legislation, so in the event of a strike no expectant mother will be put at risk – deliveries will still occur throughout the strike and each woman’s care plan will be reviewed and referred as necessary.

“We know families support our members, and we hope that this can be resolved as quickly as possible,” said Capar.

CUPE Local 2348 hopes to meet again with the employer representatives, highlighting the new strike mandate, before setting a specific strike date, which could be set within weeks. A strike date has not been set.

Local 2348 (Midwives) Bargaining Update

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The CUPE Local 2348 (Midwives) bargaining committee met with the employer representative and a provincial conciliation officer on March 2nd to discuss outstanding issues.

These issues are predominantly related to fair compensation.

There was some positive movement at the bargaining table, and CUPE will be meeting again with the conciliation officer and employer on Wednesday, March 9 to continue negotiations.

“We are hopeful that we can reach a fair contract without a strike” said Sheree Capar, CUPE National Representative.

Thank you to all midwives and supporters for your ongoing solidarity and patience!

Click here for or more information on the issues.

Midwives to hold info pickets

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WINNIPEG – Midwives are gathering together to hold an info picket on Thursday, February 4th outside the Birth Centre on St. Mary’s Road, in an effort to raise awareness about the state of midwifery in Manitoba.

“We applaud the government for increasing funding for midwifery training, but we are falling behind other provinces when it comes to compensation” said Sheree Capar, CUPE National Representative. “We need to deal with recruitment and retention issues, and the best way to do that is to have competitive compensation so we don’t lose our midwives to other provinces or professions”.

CUPE 2348, representing approximately 30 midwives working in the WRHA, has held numerous meetings with a provincial conciliation officer in an attempt to reach a fair deal with their employer.

On January 13th and 14th, midwives voted 91% in favour of a strike mandate.

Info pickets will take place on Thursday, February 4th from 7 to 9 a.m. outside the Birth Centre at 603 St. Mary’s Road.

“We want to give the employer one last push to deliver a fair contract for Manitoba’s midwives,” said Capar.

The current collective agreement expired on March 31, 2014.
CUPE Local 2348 represents approximately 30 midwives working in the WRHA.

For more information on the state of midwifery in Manitoba, check out our 2014 infographic!

CUPE 5021 ratifies new collective agreement

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Members of CUPE 5021 at Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries have ratified a new collective agreement that sees overall improvements to wages and benefits, and significant moves towards settling wage harmonization plans relating to the merger of Liquor and Lotteries in 2014.

Ratification votes were held on January 13 and 14, 2016.

“We’re pleased that we have been able to reach a new deal that addresses the recent merger and discrepancies between workers in Liquor and Lotteries” said Elizabeth Carlyle, CUPE National Representative. “The new contract better reflects the needs of all employees, and leaves space for continued conversations on bringing everyone on par.”

In addition to general wage increases, improvements to vacation entitlement for new employees, hours of work, flex benefits and increases to Discretionary Leave Time allowances, the new contract adds language to protect members from personal harassment (bullying).

“The bargaining committee worked tirelessly to achieve the best collective agreement possible,” said Carlyle. “We’re proud that this deal was achieved through meaningful dialogue between the employer and the union and we feel all parties have come out stronger”.

CUPE 5021 represents approximately 270 members at Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries.
For more information, please visit 5021.cupe.ca

Town of The Pas and CUPE Local 745 ratify 2 year agreement

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Town of The Pas and CUPE Local 745 are pleased to announce the ratification of a new   2-year collective agreement which covers approximately 69 employees.  The employees include those in Administration, Public Works, Maintenance, Water Treatment Plant and the Wellness Center.

“We are glad that we have been able to work with the Town to ratify this new agreement” said Lori Sutherland, CUPE National Representative, “members of CUPE 745 are proud to deliver the public services that the community relies on, and look forward to working under this new contract”.

“I want to express my sincere gratitude to all our staff and management for the incredible effort and commitment that has allowed us to reach this agreement.” added Mayor Jim Scott .

The previous collective agreement expired in December 2014. The new agreement will continue through to December 2016.

– Joint release between CUPE 745 and the Town of The Pas