Events

Health Care Support Workers’ Week: October 16 – 20, 2023

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CUPE is celebrating the work of its thousands of members in health care support roles across Manitoba. The Manitoba Government officially proclaimed October 16 – 20 as Health Care Support Workers’ Week. 

“Health care support workers keep our health care system working, and are a critical part of the health care team,” stated Gina McKay, President of CUPE Manitoba. “This week is a special week to recognize each and every health care support worker in every community across Manitoba”.

This week also falls on the official swearing-in week of Manitoba’s newly elected provincial government. CUPE Manitoba is hopeful that this new government will address the chronic issues facing Manitoba’s health care support workers, including the ongoing staffing crisis that impacts long term care, acute care, and home care.

“The past seven years under Brian Pallister and Heather Stefanson have been difficult for health care support workers,” said McKay. “Health care workers are looking forward to a government that listens and takes the concerns of workers across Manitoba seriously”.

LISTEN to our radio ad, airing across Manitoba:

READ the Proclamation (English) Proclamation (French)
Letter from government to CUPE: Letter from Honourable Audrey Gordon, (former) Minister of Health

The Canadian Union of Public Employees is Canada’s largest union representing more than 715,000 members. In Manitoba, CUPE represents approximately 37,000 members working in health carefacilities, personal care homes, school divisions, municipal services, social services, child care centres, public utilities, libraries and family emergency services.

CUPE Manitoba Recognizes School Support Staff Recognition Week – Sept 25-29

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The Province of Manitoba has declared the week of September 25-29 as School Support Staff Recognition Week.

Because of CUPE, the Manitoba Government has recognized the hard work of school support staff since 2013 and has set aside this important week to acknowledge the value of school support staff to our education system.

“School support staff across Manitoba are critical to the success of children, youth and our shared community” says Gina McKay, President of CUPE Manitoba. “School support staff keep our schools safe and clean, get our kids to school safely, keep our schools running, and help our children and youth learn, grow, and succeed.”

Despite this, in the last few years school support staff at numerous school divisions have had to push for fairness in the workplace, and even went on strike, including CUPE 1630 custodians and cleaners at Rolling River School Division

“While we take the time to celebrate our school support staff, we also urge the provincial government and school divisions to prioritize treating all staff with respect and work harder to ensure fairness in the workplace, which in-turn creates a more inclusive, safer, and better education system for everyone”.

CUPE Manitoba launched our annual ad, encouraging the community to “thank your school support staff”, reminding Manitobans that these staff are the pillars of our K-12 school system.

Download a copy of the Proclamation

Listen to our CUPE Manitoba School Division Sector Radio Ad:

CUPE represents school support staff, including education assistants, custodians, cleaners, school bus drivers, library technicians, intercultural and community liaisons, tradespersons, office administrative staff, and more in 25 school divisions across Manitoba.

 

Happy Labour Day!

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A Labour Day greeting, from President, Gina McKay:

Sisters, Brothers, Friends,

On behalf of CUPE Manitoba, I want to wish all 37,000 CUPE members in Manitoba a Happy Labour Day!

Labour Day holds an important significance in our country and in our communities, from coast to coast to coast.

In Manitoba, it is a day when we recognize the tireless efforts and commitments of workers and their families, and celebrate the important roles each and every one of us plays in building safer, stronger public services in our province.

This year more than ever, is a year to come together to build Union power through solidarity & political action in Manitoba.

As workers, we have seen our wages, jobs, livelihoods, and services cut and limited for over 7 long years under the PCs.

Ongoing cuts and ongoing underfunding in all of our work – healthcare, social services, education, child care, long term care, municipal services, libraries, public utilities, and family emergency services.

I’m reminded that the important work we are doing in Manitoba keeps our communities supported – and we’ve done this work through some of the most difficult times in our working history.

The work each of you are doing stitches together a strong net for Manitobans, and this Labour Day, we recognize and thank you for this work!

And now, let’s also renew our solidarity and build Union power in our province to fight for better wages and benefits, pensions for all members, improved working conditions, safer and more inclusive spaces, and stronger public services.

Let’s come together to build this movement, and demand commitments for CUPE members in Manitoba.

We’ve ignited this spark at CUPE Manitoba, and the time is now to build this movement together. Our province works because we do.

Have a restful and inspiring Labour Day!

In solidarity,

Gina McKay

President
CUPE Manitoba

CUPE Joins Manitoba Filipino Street Festival, June 24-25

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As a lead sponsor, CUPE Manitoba is pleased to join the 2023 Manitoba Filipino Street Festival June 24-25 at the Maples Multiplex Grounds, 434 Adsum Drive. We will have a tent and booth set up for all to come by.

CUPE members are invited to join CUPE Manitoba’s float in the cultural parade at 11 AM on Saturday, June 24.

See the event website for more information.