Community

CUPE Manitoba in the Community.

CUPE marks the Transgender Day of Remembrance, Nov. 20

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On November 20, workplaces and communities will take the time to observe Transgender Day of Remembrance and commemorate persons who have lost their lives because of anti-trans violence.

Started in 1998 to honour the murder of a young transgender woman in Massachusetts, this day is now marked by ceremonies in cities across Canada and around the world. Let’s all continue to work together to help make our workplaces and communities a safe and inclusive space for those who identify as transgender.

For more information, visit cupe.ca

Workers at Agape House women’s shelter prepared to strike for fair wages, support for workers who face domestic violence

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Steinbach, Manitoba – On November 9, 2015, members of CUPE Local 2348 at Agape House women’s shelter in Steinbach, Manitoba voted 100% in favour of strike action in order to place pressure on their employer to secure fair wages and new language in their collective agreement that would ensure policy to support employees who are victims of domestic violence.

On November 16th, the Province of Manitoba announced that paid leave would be extended to victims of domestic violence, recognizing that people in these situations need the time and space to seek help.

While this announcement is excellent news for victims of domestic violence province-wide, enshrining supportive language in workplace contracts should be every employer’s next step.

“In addition to staff at Agape House tabling proposals at the bargaining table over such provisions, it is important to stress that people from all walks of life are subject to domestic violence,” said Kelly Moist President of CUPE Manitoba, “nobody experiencing violence should have to choose between going work or seeking shelter and help.”

Members of CUPE Local 2348 at Agape House held an info picket outside Steinbach City Hall, on Wednesday, November 18th to raise awareness on domestic violence in the workplace as well as fair treatment for women’s shelter staff.

A study conducted by the University of Western Ontario and the Canadian Labour Congress that focused on the impacts of domestic violence in the workplace found that 91.5% of over 8,000 respondents reported that they thought domestic violence impacts the lives of workers.  The survey also found that employers lose close to $80 million dollars every year due to the impact of domestic violence in the workplace.

“Workers at Agape House are on the front line in protecting and supporting victims of domestic violence,” said Moist, “these workers deserve to be supported as well.”

CUPE Manitoba echoes calls for increased funding to women’s shelters province-wide in order to help provide staff with fair wages and supports to enable them to perform their important work. Currently staff at Agape House in Steinbach can make significantly less than those performing similar work in shelters in Winnipeg.

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 8am to get our parade float ready, and the march starts at 9am! Feel free to join us!

The street festival takes place on Saturday, August 22nd at 9am at Northgate Shopping Centre (1399 McPhillips St.)

Thanks to Locals 2719 and 1599 for all the work they’ve put into this event!

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

 

Better Choice: let’s start talking about the Federal election

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The country’s slow economic recovery has left 2.8 million Canadians unemployed or underemployed. Nearly three quarters of the jobs created in the past six years have been precarious (part-time, temporary or in the self-employed sector). With limited job prospects, household debt is at an all-time high.

Soon, you will get to choose how we overcome these challenges.

There is a better choice. One that gets us ready to support and care for our aging population. One that gives Canadians high-quality, secure jobs instead of short-term, temporary positions. One that provides programs that benefit everyone—instead of tax relief programs that benefit a select few.

We believe there is a better choice for you and the economy.

What will you choose?

Visit the campaign betterchoice.ca to learn more!

Winnipeg’s municipal workers support Shoal Lake #40

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WINNIPEG – The municipal workers who deliver Winnipeg’s water have joined those calling for the building of an all-weather access road to Shoal Lake #40 First Nation.

“It is unjust that the people who live in the community that sources our public water have been under a boil water advisory for 17 years and are often cut-off entirely from accessing clean water and public services” says Mike Davidson, President of CUPE Local 500. “As the workers who deliver this water to Winnipeggers, we feel that clean, public water should also be available to those who source it.”

On July 21, 2015, CUPE Manitoba officially endorsed the Shoal Lake #40 “Freedom Road” campaign by sending a letter to Chief Erwin Redsky indicating the support of Winnipeg’s municipal workers, as well as a letter to Aboriginal Affairs Minister Bernard Valcourt urging him to act immediately to improve the living conditions of the people of Shoal Lake #40.

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CUPE MB Aboriginal Council attended National Aboriginal Day, collecting petitions calling for clean water for all Aboriginal communities.

“We applaud the City of Winnipeg and Province of Manitoba for committing to help build a road to Shoal Lake” said Kelly Moist, President of CUPE Manitoba. “Everyone seems to acknowledge the urgency of this situation, except for the federal government.”

While the federal government refuses to commit funding to help Shoal Lake #40 gain access to potable water and services via an all-weather road, Canadians from all levels of civil society are taking initiatives to support the community – from petitions, to writing letters to Members of Parliament, to fundraising.

CUPE Local 500 has been outspoken against the privatization of water and wastewater treatment, and is a staunch advocate for continued investments in public water infrastructure.

“We all benefit from the clean, potable water provided to us by Shoal Lake” said Davidson. “It is unacceptable that this community should suffer on our behalf.”

Shoal Lake Facts

Shoal Lake #40 First Nation is located at the Manitoba-Ontario border south of the Trans-Canada highway. Shoal Lake has provided Winnipeg’s drinking water since 1919 via a 153 km aqueduct.

The population of Shoal Lake #40 is 270, and the community has been under a boil water advisory for the past 17 years. The community spends approximately $100,000 per year importing bottled water, despite supplying 700,000 Winnipeggers with water from the nearby lake and reservoir.

Currently there is no all-weather road access to the community, which must travel via boat during the summer, or cross the ice in the winter to fetch basic supplies and drinking water. At least 9 community members have died taking this journey.

ShoalidarityThe cost of building the all-weather “Freedom Road” to connect the community to the Trans-Canada highway is estimated at $30 million. All levels of government have committed $1m towards a road plan. The Province of Manitoba and the City of Winnipeg have each committed to contribute a share of the cost towards the project, but the federal government has not committed, leaving the community at risk.

CUPE believes that water is a basic human right. There are still far too many communities across Canada under boil water advisories, and CUPE will continue to push for safe, public drinking water for all.

CUPE Local 500 represents approximately 4,200 municipal workers in Winnipeg.

Letter to Chief Erwin Redsky

Download (PDF, 342KB)

Letter to Minister Valcourt

Download (PDF, 330KB)

Winnipeg General Strike Remembered

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WINNIPEG – Today marks the 96th anniversary of the 1919 Winnipeg General Strike where over 25,000 workers walked off the job in support of fair wages, and better working conditions.

“As we draw closer to the 100th anniversary of this historic event, we are reminded of the sacrifices of those who came before us in the labour movement” said Kelly Moist, President of CUPE Manitoba “it is because of these sacrifices that we are able to continue to organize as a movement and fight for our members”.

At 11:00 am on May 15, 1919, workers left their jobs and marched into the streets of Winnipeg, leading to one of the biggest labour actions Canada has ever seen. Strikers included both the private and public sectors, and ranged from garment workers to police officers. On June 21, 1919, the Royal North-West Mounted Police and hired union busters rode on horseback and fired into a crowd of thousands of workers, killing two and injuring countless others.

“The best way to honour those fallen activists is to continue their fight” said Moist, “we will not relent in our struggle for fair wages, decent jobs, and respect in the workplace.”

According to the Canadian Labour Congress, approximately 36% of all workers in Winnipeg are currently members of a union, translating into 133,400 Winnipeggers.

“The 1919 strike means a lot to us as a union movement” said Moist, “it shows us the sacrifices working people are willing to make in order to better the working and living conditions for everyone”.

On Friday, May 15th 2015 at 7:00pm a commemorative event is being held at Winnipeg’s Ukrainian Labour Temple (at Pritchard and McGregor), including live performances from the musical Strike! and a panel on the legacy of the strike.

CUPE Manitoba represents approximately 25,000 public sector workers in health care, municipalities, school divisions, energy, airlines, social services and childcare, post-secondary education, and more.

Manitoba budget fights poverty. What it means for CUPE Members

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The Manitoba Government’s 2015 provincial budget was released on April 30th.

This is the final submission to this week’s feature on how the Manitoba budget affects members within various CUPE sectors. To read them all visit our Manitoba Budget section.

What is the provincial budget?

The provincial budget is the implementation of the government’s vision for the next year, as well as commitments to long-term and short-term investments.

Being part of a national union, CUPE members in Manitoba know that the cuts made in other provinces are not happening here. The Manitoba NDP has committed to supporting the services that Manitobans rely on.

CUPE Manitoba is a strong advocate to reduce poverty and increase wages for all Manitobans.

But what does the 2015 provincial budget mean to CUPE members in Manitoba?

While we’re still afar shot away from a living wage, the government is increasing the minimum wage to $11 an hour. This will help raise the bar for all workers as we continue to negotiate fair increases for CUPE
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CUPE Manitoba endorsed the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives’ “View from Here” poverty reduction strategy which was cited in the budget as having been a reference point for the province’s new poverty alleviation measures.
This includes the call to enhancing Rent Assist by $22 million to move it to 75% of median market rent, while also allowing recipients to retain the benefit as they move into training and jobs.
As the provincial government implements a new Youth Jobs Strategy, CUPE will be monitoring to ensure that these jobs are unionized to offer young people safe, stable, and un-precarious work.
For a full review on the CCPA’s position on the Manitoba Budget and poverty alleviation, visit the CCPA’s Policy Fix blog.

Solidarity with ATU 1505 – Action Alert

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Dear members,

The Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1505 is holding an info picket at Winnipeg’s City Hall on Tuesday, May 12th at noon.

ATU members have been strong supporters of many CUPE info pickets over the past year, showing up at our pickets at Tuxedo Villa (CUPE 2180) and Community Living Selkirk (CUPE 3085).

Please take time to come out and support the ATU’s info picket for a fair deal with Winnipeg Transit.

ATU 1505 supporting CUPE 3085
ATU 1505 supporting CUPE 3085

 

Provincial budget reflects needs of Manitobans, invests in services.

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The Manitoba Government’s 2015 provincial budget was released on April 30th, and reflects the NDP’s commitment to working families across the province.

“Our NDP government is a strong steward of the economy” says Kelly Moist, President of CUPE Manitoba. “Manitobans want government to invest in core services and infrastructure, and that is exactly what this government is doing”.

The provincial budget is the implementation of the government’s vision for the next year, as well as commitments to long-term and short-term investments.

“Being part of a national union, CUPE members in Manitoba know that other governments have recently implemented deep cuts to government services which particularly impact society’s most vulnerable people” said Moist. “The Manitoba NDP has committed to supporting the services that Manitobans rely on”.

Of particular note are the unprecedented investments in infrastructure that will create jobs, stimulate the economy, raise wages across the province, improve road safety, protect Manitobans against floods, and improve other aspects of our provincial infrastructure.

The budget announced continued investments in childcare spaces in Manitoba, significant funding increases for acute health care and long-term care, as well as increased funding to education and post-secondary education.

The province made good on a commitment to eliminate interest on Manitoba student loans, making post-secondary education more accessible, and once again increases the minimum wage.

Additionally, the province has acted on recommendations from the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives’ “View from Here”, endorsed by CUPE Manitoba, enhancing Rent Assist by $22 million to move it to 75% of median market rent.

“We are pleased that this government chooses to invest in the community, from infrastructure to childcare” said Moist. “This government understands the value of a diverse economy that supports families as well as economic growth”.

CUPE Manitoba represents approximately 25,000 public sector workers in health care, municipalities, school divisions, energy, airlines, social services and childcare, post-secondary education, and more.