Community

CUPE Manitoba in the Community.

Anti-labour Bills in Manitoba Pass Committee Hearings

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Winnipeg – The Pallister Conservative government has pushed two anti-labour Bills through the committee stage and into Third Hearing, which could ultimately result in the passing of the legislation.

Bill 28 (Public Sector Sustainability Act) and Bill 29 (Health Care Bargaining Unit Review Act) were opposed by dozens of labour representatives and members of the public at Committee hearings that took place on the evening of May 8th.

Bill 28 imposes a four-year wage settlement on all public sector workers, freezing wages for two years, followed by sub-inflationary increases of 0.75% and 1% in the third and fourth year respectively.

Bill 29 drastically restructures health care bargaining units, reducing the number of health care collective agreements, forcing union representation votes, and imposes a commissioner with sweeping powers over health care bargaining.

CUPE’s Manitoba Regional Director Lee McLeod presented both verbal and written submissions in opposition to both Bills.

CUPE on Bill 28

“These hard-working Manitobans, who truly are the “front-lines” this government promised to protect, are angry and feel betrayed,” McLeod told the committee on Bill 28.

“It is apparent that this government is not interested in meaningful consultations with public sector unions, and that this government always intended to use legislation to circumvent workers constitutionally protected right to free and fair collective bargaining.”

CUPE has been working closely with the Manitoba Federation of Labour and other unions to oppose Bill 28 and Bill 29.

CUPE on Bill 29

Bill 29 was also discussed in a separate committee hearing, taking place at the same time down the hall.

“We believe that collaboration between health care unions and this government could produce a superior collective bargaining model that works better for government and health care workers alike”, McLeod told the committee.

“We urge this government to scrap Bill 29 and instead work with us to make a better system for both workers and patients. No one benefits from the disruption, costs, and uncertainly of forced representation votes – not patients, not workers, and not the health care system”.

CUPE’s May 8, 2017 submissions to the committees can be found here:

CUPE Submission on Bill 28
CUPE Submission on Bill 29

To learn more on how the legislative process works, and how Bills are introduced, debated, and passed, visit the Manitoba Legislative Assembly website

 

CUPE stands in solidarity with Tolko workers in The Pas

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It is with great dismay that CUPE has learned of the closing of the Tolko Industries paper and saw mill in The Pas, Manitoba, resulting in the loss of over 250 jobs.

While CUPE does not represent Tolko workers, we do understand the impact the closure of this plant will have on the community at large, and on individual families.

We echo the concerns of Unifor Locals 1403 and 302, which represents mill and office workers, as well as supervisors at Tolko Industries in The Pas.

“Our members who have loved ones working at Tolko will be hurt by this closure,” says Kelly Moist, President of CUPE Manitoba representing public sector workers in health care, education, and municipalities in The Pas and RM of Kelsey.

“For every good job lost in Manitoba’s North, there will be serious economic and social implications for the community as a whole, as well as on individual families”.

The recent news of the closure of the Port of Churchill further exacerbates the employment and economic crisis that is unfolding in Manitoba’s Northern communities.

Due to this closure, the Pas and RM of Kelsey will likely lose significant tax revenue generated by Tolko Industries that helps fund municipal services in the community.

CUPE Manitoba calls on the federal and provincial governments to act quickly to ensure good, stable jobs are available in Manitoba’s Northern communities, and to protect those workers and families facing impending layoffs.

2016 Manitoba Filipino Street Festival

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Once again CUPE Manitoba will be participating in the Manitoba Filipino Street Festival!

10626355_921218504559297_302897637174016928_oWe will be marching in the parade, and we’ll also have a booth on-site during the festival.

If you’re interested in coming out, please let us know by emailing: cupemb@cupe.mb.ca

We’ll be meeting at 7:45 am to get our parade float ready, and the march starts at 9am! Feel free to join us!

The street festival this year takes place downtown, on Saturday, August 20th at 9am at Memorial Park (by the Legislature)

Thanks to all the Locals who have helped put this event together!

For more information visit:
http://filipinostreetfestival.ca/

Thousands attend Steinbach Manitoba’s first Pride

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CUPE members from across Manitoba came together to march in solidarity in Steinbach Manitoba’s first annual Pride parade and celebration, Saturday July 9th.

While organizers originally expected roughly 200 participants, Manitobans gathered in numbers estimated between 3,000 and 5,000 to march, cheer, and support the Steinbach LGBTTI community.

“CUPE is proud to have participated in such an historic event,” said Kelly Moist, President of CUPE Manitoba. “CUPE members from across the province came out in support of the community in Steinbach, and it was an emotional and powerful day for us all”.

Steinbach Manitoba is often portrayed as part of the “Manitoba Bible Belt”, and is considered by many to be a very conservative community. Many local politicians refused to attend or acknowledge Steinbach Pride in the lead-up to the event, with Conservative Member of Parliament Ted Falk indicating his contempt for the event, and Conservative MLA Kevin Goertzen and Mayor Chris Goertzen not in attendance.

There has also been heated debate within the Hanover School Division over allowing students to organize “Gay Straight Alliances”, anti-bullying initiatives, as well as a policy that prohibits teachers from discussing sexual orientation or gender identity in classrooms.

Despite these challenges, Steinbach has proven itself to be a strong and welcoming community, with countless residents cheering the parade as it marched by. It was noted that not a single “counter-protest” took place, and the event was a positive, exciting, and empowering experience for everyone.

“Steinbach is at the forefront of this critical fight for human rights,” said Moist. “Hundreds of CUPE members work in Steinbach and area, and we stand with the entire community to ensure safe and inclusive workplaces for everyone”.

CUPE at Steinbach Pride

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This Saturday will be Steinbach’s first ever Pride March and celebration, and we are hoping to have a strong CUPE presence there.  We will be marching down the streets of Steinbach in support of our LGBTTQ* members and allies.

The march will begin from E.A. Friesen Park, and we are suggesting that CUPE folks meet and gather right outside of the park, at the corner of Elm St and Elmdale St. at 10:30am, so we can walk together in solidarity.  The march will conclude at City Hall, where there will be speeches and celebration.

CUPE has a strong reputation for fighting for all human rights and engaging in community events like this, where our members work and live.  Please consider marching with us on Saturday, rain or shine.

In addition to the Pride March for Equality Facebook page, the website for this event ishttp://www.steinbachpride.com  and has all the information you need.

Hope to see you Saturday!

In Solidarity,

Kelly MoistCUPE Manitoba President

CUPE Manitoba members present $10,000 to CancerCare Manitoba Foundation

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CUPE Manitoba presented a $10,000 cheque to CancerCare Manitoba during the CUPE Manitoba Convention on Thursday, May 5th, in support of Camp Indigo, a camp specifically designed to provide medical support and assistance to children with cancer to make their summer camp dreams a possibility. Today’s donation is the most recent contribution the union’s members are making to pediatric oncology as part of ongoing fundraising initiative for Manitoban children who have cancer.

To date, CUPE Manitoba has donated over $130,000 to CancerCare Manitoba through fundraising and donations.

“CUPE Manitoba is proud to be a strong supporter of Camp Indigo,” said Kelly Moist, President of CUPE Manitoba. “CUPE members are dedicated to the community, and our involvement reaches beyond the labour movement and into the lives of children and their families in need”.

Keynote speakers throughout Convention include: Mark Hancock, CUPE National President; Charles Fleury, CUPE National Treasurer; Shahine Siddiqui, President of the Islamic Social Services Association; Nahanni Fontaine, MLA for St. Johns; and more!

In Manitoba, CUPE represents approximately 25,000 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.

100 years since women’s right to vote won in Manitoba, but battle for equality still rages

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WINNIPEG – One hundred years ago today, women in Manitoba became the first in Canada to win the right to vote and hold office in provincial elections.

“Women like Nellie McClung were trailblazers for all those who came after,” said Kelly Moist, President of CUPE Manitoba. “In Manitoba we have a strong legacy of activists fighting for social justice, and we’re proud of our strong feminist roots.”

The labour movement and feminist movement have always had close ties throughout history and many shared fights for social justice and women’s rights continue to rage on today.

Women are among the lowest paid workers across the country, and are more likely to not receive the same level of pension or benefits as men, by virtue of the type of work performed by women. Jobs in health care, child care, education, and social services are still among the lowest paid work in Canada, and there is no coincidence that these jobs are predominantly performed by women and newcomers.

Credit must be given to the Manitoba government for consistent pay increases, as well as efforts to enhance wages in the lowest paid sectors including support workers in community living and child care. The province has also consistently increased the minimum wage, but the pay gap still exists and must continue to be remedied.

Manitoba has also been a leader in breaking down barriers for transgender workers, and the Winnipeg School Division is currently drafting policy that would ensure students and staff could be addressed by the pronouns they choose.

“The fight for gender equality continues to this very day; women’s work is still devalued and not respected in the same way as the work of men,” said Moist. “It is our job as the labour movement to fight for women’s rights in the workplace, and we will continue to push for fair contracts that ensure everyone is treated equally, regardless of gender or gender expression.”

Aboriginal women and girls in Manitoba and across Canada continue to face disproportionate levels of racially motivated gender-based violence, and Manitoba has been a centre of grassroots-led activism to fight against racism and misogyny.

It is also important to acknowledge on this date that not all women received the right to vote on January 28, 1916. Aboriginal women and many immigrant women were excluded.

It wasn’t until 1947 that Chinese and Indo-Canadian women (and men) were granted the right to vote, and in 1948 Japanese women (and men) were granted the right to vote.

In 1952 Aboriginal woman and (men) were granted the right to vote, and it wasn’t until 1960 that Aboriginal women (and men) were allowed to run for office without giving up their treaty rights.

CUPE Manitoba represents 25,000 members in health care, education, municipalities, libraries, universities, social services, public utilities, transportation, emergency services and airlines.

Statement from CUPE’s National President on shootings in La Loche, Saskatchewan

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Jan 25, 2016

On behalf of all CUPE members, we offer our deepest condolences to the community of La Loche, Saskatchewan. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims, families and first responders affected by Friday’s tragedy.

CUPE members in schools across Canada work to provide a safe learning environment that fosters the best opportunity for education. I know this tragedy hits very close to home for those members.

Children, their teachers and school support staff have a right to feel safe. We add our voice to the call for long-term systemic change that will ensure every child, every resident and every community has the health care, infrastructure and education they need.
Mark Hancock
CUPE National President

re-post from cupe.ca