Community

CUPE Manitoba in the Community.

CUPE Manitoba members present $50,000 to CancerCare Manitoba

by

WINNIPEG – CUPE Manitoba will present a $50,000 cheque to CancerCare Manitoba in support of Camp Indigo, a camp dedicated to providing support to Manitoba children with cancer. The money is the most recent contribution the union’s members are making to pediatric oncology as part of ongoing fundraising for Manitoba children who have cancer.

“We started fundraising among our members in the 1990s when we adopted pediatric oncology as our ongoing charity,” CUPE Manitoba President Kelly Moist said. “CUPE’s commitment to our community is strong, and we are proud to donate to such an important cause as supporting children in need.”

CUPE Manitoba members have provided more than $100,000 over the past decade to pediatric oncology through fundraising and donations. This year’s contribution of $50,000 is the largest single donation made, and coincides with CUPE’s 50th anniversary this year.

“Since 1963, CUPE has made important contributions to Manitoba, and this donation reflects our commitment to making Manitoba a better place for everyone.”

CUPE Manitoba will present a $50,000 cheque to CancerCare Manitoba Camp Indigo at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 4, 2013, at the CUPE Manitoba Convention in the Winnipeg Convention Centre.

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.

April 28 National Day of Mourning

by

April 28th marks the National Day of Mourning: a day for us to remember workers who were killed or injured while on the job.DOM_sticker

It is a day of reflection and memory for those we’ve lost, and a day of action to highlight the importance of workplace health and safety.

Please visit the Manitoba Federation of Labour website for more information on Day of Mourning events held across the province. http://mfl.ca/workplace/fatalities.html

CUPE applauds Manitoba Government for taking action on disability rights

by

WINNIPEG – Today the Government of Manitoba introduced a new bill in the Manitoba Legislature, expanding on the rights of persons living with disabilities in the province.

“We are encouraged that the NDP is taking disability rights seriously” stated Kelly Moist, President of CUPE Manitoba, “once enacted, this bill will set a new standard in the province, and will promote more discussion on disability and accessibility issues in Manitoba.”

The new bill is expected to reach Third Reading by the end of June, when it will become legislation.

“CUPE has been working on a national campaign across the country to raise awareness and action on disability rights in the workplace and the community” said Moist, “this new bill sends a strong message to Manitobans living with disabilities that the Manitoba government is not only adapting to the needs of the community, but taking a strong legislative stance in support of removing barriers and increasing access for all Manitobans.”

CUPE Manitoba is a proud endorser of Barrier Free Manitoba – a coalition of community organizations working towards disability rights legislation in the province.

CUPE represents over 25,000 members in Manitoba, including members working in support services for people living with disabilities. 

Visit the Barrier Free Manitoba website for more information.

CUPE MANITOBA CELEBRATES INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY

by

WINNIPEG – The Canadian Union of Public Employees is joining with a variety of Manitoba community and grassroots organizations in celebrating International Women’s Day.

However, while celebrating the labour movement’s contributions to advancing the rights of women in Canada, the wage gap between men and women as well as the underfunding of services for women and families continues to affect thousands of Manitobans.

Last December CUPE Manitoba met with the Manitoba Minister Responsible for the Status of Women to present a brief on Pay Equity in the province. This brief highlighted the fact that while NDP governments in Manitoba have taken important steps over the years to try to deal with the problems of wage discrimination faced by women in the workplace, currently Manitoba does not have any type of proactive pay equity legislation.

“Although the percentage of women working in Manitoba is one of the highest in the country, the wage gap between men and women still persists” states Maureen Morrison, Equality Representative for the Canadian Union of Public Employees, “Women working full-time for a full year in Manitoba earn only 72% of what men working full-time for a full year earn.”

“We are asking the Manitoba Government to implement pay equity legislation to cover the social services and child care sectors as a means of reducing the wage gap for our members and others working in these jobs” states Kelly Moist, President of CUPE Manitoba “the time to support women is now, and we cannot afford to continue underpaying these important and vital jobs.”

International Women’s Day events are scheduled throughout Friday, March 8th, including a rally beginning at 5:30 p.m. at the Union Centre, 275 Broadway.

The Canadian Union of Public Employees is Canada’s largest union representing more than a half-million members. In Manitoba, CUPE represents 27,000 members, including approximately 1,500 members working in the social services and child care sectors in communities throughout the province.

Click here to view the full CUPE Pay Equity Brief

For information, contact:
Maureen Morrison, CUPE Equality Representative at (204) 942-0343
David Jacks, CUPE Communications Representative at (204) 801-7339

International Women’s Week 2013

by

CUPE Manitoba would like to encourage all members to support and promote the following events commemorating International Women’s Week, March 3 – 8, 2013:

The Provincial Council of Women of Manitoba Inc.
2nd Annual High Tea fundraiser
March 3 at 3–5 pm
Fort Garry Hotel
Tickets $50 each and a table of eight is $350
Tickets available at McNally Robinson Bookstore in Grant Park, at pcwm@mymts.net or by calling PCWM at (204) 992-2751

FemRev, The Institute for Women’s and Gender Studies and both the
UMSU and UWSA Womyn’s Centres
Status Quo: The Unfinished Business of Feminism in Canada
March 4 at 7pm
Eckhardt-Gramatté Hall
University of Winnipeg, 515 Portage Ave free screening of award winning documentary
A documentary by Karen Cho and the National Film Board of Canada
(and featuring some local faces from the 2011 PanCanadian Young Feminist Gathering that was held in Winnipeg)
This is a physically accessible venue. Free bus tickets. Free on-site childminding.
Contact femrev.collective@gmail.com by Sunday March 3rd to secure a childminding spot.

U of W Womyn’s Centre
International Women’s Week Festival support
Monday, March 4
Free Breast Casting
Film Screenings – My Large Breasts and I and My Small Breasts and I (1:30-4 women only, 4-5 men welcome, Womyn’s Centre)
Tuesday, March 5
Bake Sale (10-2, 2nd floor escalators)
Sexual Health Workshop with Anlina Sheng (2-3:30, LGBT Centre)
Wednesday, March 6 (Women’s Week Festival (10-3, Bulman Centre)
All day clothing swap, Shine-A-Light tent, Knitting corner, Galaxy print tutorial, Screen printing with Ecopia, Art exhibit, Deborah Schnitzer celebrates and teaches the art of journalism (11;:30-12:30), Make your own damn sandwich lunch table (12-1:30), Sarasvàti Productions’ monologues (12:30-1:20), Man Cave (1:30-2:30), Chandra Mayor performance of “Feminism Saved My Life” (1:30-2:30)
Thursday, March 7
Reusable Pad Making with Ecopia (2, Riddell Cafeteria)
Herstory: Art by Women in the University of Winnipeg Collection (4-6, Gallery 1C03)
Friday, March 8
Sign Making (2:30, Womyn’s Centre)

Sarasvàti Productions
Wild Women: International Women’s Week Cabaret of Monologues
March 5 at 10am – Hosted by University of Manitoba Womyn’s Centre
I am Supergirl Monologue
U of M, Room 224-AC in University Centre
March 6 at 12:30pm – Hosted by University of Winnipeg Womyn’s Centre
Selection of Monologues – Bullman Centre
March 6 at 3pm – Hosted by University of Manitoba Womyn’s Centre
The Chronicles of Heloise – My Choice
U of M, Room 224-AC in University Centre
March 7 at 12noon Free Sneak Peek of selected monologues
Portage Place Mall, Edmonton Court – Free Sneak Peek
March 8 at 12noon Free Sneak Peek of selected monologues
Gallery at Manitoba Hydro Place (360 Portage Avenue)
March 8 at 8pm Full Show (tickets $10)
Gallery at Manitoba Hydro Place (360 Portage Avenue)
Featuring the Men’s Banner Project with Anna-Celestrya Carr and Buffalo Gals Drumming Group
www.sarasvati.ca

Manitoba Federation of Labour, Winnipeg Labour Council and Canadian Labour Congress
International Women’s Day Pancake Breakfast
March 8 from 7:30-9am; Guest speakers at 8am
Union Centre Auditorium
Proceeds to the Women’s Memorial Fund
Tickets $10 (available at the Winnipeg Labour Council 504-275 Broadway or 204-942-0522)

Manitoba Status of Women
International Women’s Day Commemoration
March 8 at 11:45am-1pm
Rotunda Manitoba Legislative Building
Women in Manitoba: Leading Transformative Change
A light luncheon will be provided
RSVP by March 4th 945-6281; msw@gov.mb.ca

International Women’s Day March – Solidarity
March 8 Free events organized by grassroots organizations
Union Centre (504-275 Broadway)
5:15pm Doors Open
5:30pm Rally featuring Sarasvàti Productions
6pm March through downtown Winnipeg
7pm Celebrate with refreshments and a program hosted by Chrissy Troy, including speakers Chikadee Richard, Jo Redsky and Bilan Arte
facebook.com/events/398559496905040

Mama Cutsworth & West Central Women’s Resource Centre
XX Factor Women on the Wheels of Steel Dance Party
March 8; doors open at 8pm
Regal Beagle Pub (331 Smith Street)
Tickets $10
Funds raised will support the Drop In program at the West Central Women’s Resource Centre
www.wcwrc.ca
Mondragon
In The Name Of Ending Kitchen Slavery! IWD Pizza and beer night
March 8 Starts at 7:30 and goes until…well, we run out of Pizza!
Women identified folks get cheap beer and pizza as part of our feminist happy hour(s)
Bring your talent open mic – off limits to cis-gendered men (we all know you talk enough)

MAWA (Mentoring Artists for Women’s Art) in partnership with Manitoba Craft Council
CRAFTSTRAVAGANZA
AMega-Workshop in Craft Practices from around the World
Saturday, March 9 from noon-4 pm
Free! All ages and genders welcome! Materials and child minding provided.
Eritrean snacks will be served.
At our much-anticipated 5th Annual IWD crafting event, four master craftswomen will be on hand. Come and go! Enjoy good food, good company and good crafting!
http://mawa.ca

CUPE Manitoba Aboriginal Council and Common Causes: Idle No More

by

IMG_0822The CUPE Manitoba Aboriginal Council was proud to be invited to speak at the Idle No More #J28 demonstration and round dance at the Manitoba Legislature on January 28, 2013.

CUPE MB Aboriginal Council co-chair Sister Shirley Langan gave a strong message that movements must join together in Common Causes to fight back against the Harper Government’s politics of division.

“We know the hardships our working people face in the workplace, the discrimination that many aboriginal workers put up with day-by-day: before, during, and after work.” said Langan to the nearly 1,000 participants “This discrimination takes many faces: racism, wage differences, the way we are treated by our employer, and access to education.”

Sister Langan highlighted the importance of Common Causes as an assembly of social movements dedicated to defending democracy, the environment and human rights in the face of an all out assault by the Harper government.

“This government is practicing a cynical and divisive kind of politics where they set aboriginal peoples and non-aboriginal peoples against each other, just as they pit non-union workers against unionized workers.”

For more information on Common Causes, visit www.commoncauses.ca

Manitoba Provincial Pre-Budget Consultations Announced

by

Seven pre-budget consultations will be held across Manitoba with Minister of Finance Stan Struthers. These meetings are meant to provide Manitobans an opportunity to propose priorities, thoughts, and suggestions as the Government builds its 2013 provincial budget.

CUPE members are strongly encouraged to attend these consultations, as provincial funding affects health care, education, social services, municipalities, jobs & employment, and more!

The Pre-Budget Consultations are scheduled for the following dates:

January 21, 7-9pm
Winnipeg South – Fort Garry Community Club, Victoria Main Hall
*Bilingual Consultation

January 22, 7-9pm
Gimli – Lakeview Resort

January 23, 7-9pm
Niverville Heritage Centre

January 28, 1-3pm
Flin Flon Chamber Councils

January 28, 2013 7-9pm
Swan River – Westwood Inn at Conference Centre

January 29, 7-9pm
Winnipeg North, Valley Gardens Community Club

January 30, 1-3pm
Brandon – Sokal Hall

If you’re unable to attend a consultation, you can share your views in writing with the minister at Budget Consultations, Room 103, 450 Broadway, Winnipeg, R3C 0V8; by email at minfin@leg.gov.mb.ca or by filling out the questionnaire at www.gov.mb.ca.