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CUPE Local 2348 (Midwives) reach tentative agreement
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.
Why CUPE supports the NDP
Many CUPE members often ask “why does CUPE support the NDP?”.
The answer is quite simple.
In 1956, tired of Conservative and Liberal rule, workers in the Canadian Labour Congress and the Co-operative Commonwealth Federation came together and asked “why isn’t there a party for working people?”
The NDP was created from those conversations in 1961 as a party for working people. This is why many unions across Canada support the NDP.
But to say we are simply a “supporter” of the NDP is insufficient – we were a founding partner of the NDP.
At the 2015 CUPE Manitoba Convention, workers from across the province once again pledged support to our party, the NDP.
Letter to CUPE members re: April 19 Provincial Election
Dear Sisters and Brothers:
On April 19th Manitobans will vote in the provincial election to determine who will lead our province for the next four years. Elections are important for all citizens, as CUPE members, 25,000 strong, delivering needed public services throughout Manitoba.
Who governs our province matters a great deal.
The NDP has governed our province since October 1999, and many CUPE members, have not worked under any other government and don’t know the struggles that many CUPE members faced in the 1990’s when our right to free collective bargaining was taken away by legislation and all citizens lost when our former crown corporation, the Manitoba Telephone System was privatized.
The NDP record over the past 16 years has not been perfect. Like others we in Manitoba have felt the effects of the 2008 global recession and we have had some tough rounds of bargaining and other important issues to deal with.
It is inevitable that no matter who is in office, we as public employees will face challenges, and our job is to speak up and to lobby and advocate hard on behalf of the members we serve. Unlike many of our sisters and brothers across Canada, we have had a decent relationship with the NDP government. In other provinces CUPE members have faced legislation attacking our right to free collective bargaining.
We have not faced provincial privatization nor has Manitoba gone down the path of so-called Public-Private-Partnerships. At each of our CUPE Manitoba conventions since spring 2000 we have had the Premier in attendance to meet and speak to us. There are CUPE regions in Canada where they have never had a Premier speak to them and they have no positive things to report on in terms of their relations with their provincial government.
The purpose of this communication is to share information with you and to ask that you share the attached bulletin with your members. We all benefit when members exercise their right to vote and when they make an informed decision.
Thank you for your leadership and your activism, it makes a difference. On April 19th we have a choice to make, and delegates to our 2015 Division Convention decided that we want to continue to build our province with quality public services by re-electing the NDP.
I would be pleased to attend your local’s membership meeting or to meet with you directly to discuss this matter. Remember, together we can make a difference on April 19th.
In Solidarity,
Kelly Moist
President, CUPE Manitoba
Manitoba provincial election: What’s at stake for CUPE members?
Today the Premier of Manitoba officially dropped the writ, beginning a month-long election that will determine the next government of Manitoba on April 19.
But what does this election mean for CUPE members?
The Conservatives and Liberals want to cut jobs, privatize services, and reverse the gains we have made as workers under the NDP.
While election platforms will be rolled out throughout the campaign, we have already seen overtures made by the Conservatives and Liberals that will affect our members.
This is a brief overview of what’s at stake for CUPE members in Manitoba:
- School Sector workers: the Conservatives have promised not to cut teaching jobs, but don’t rule out funding cuts to schools. Funding cuts to schools mean School Boards will look to our support staff members and programs for “savings”.
The Liberals have announced that they too will find millions in “savings”, but haven’t yet said where they will cut. Liberal governments in other provinces have pushed school support staff on strike with layoffs and funding cuts.
- Child Care workers: the Conservatives have openly discussed creating more private child care centres across the province. Private centres mean higher costs for parents, lower quality, and cut corners. The more private centres the Conservatives build, the less support public centres will receive by government, driving down wages for our members.The Liberals recently announced their child care plan, which is contingent on funding from the Federal government, and has very few details.
- Social Services workers: Conservatives have indicated they want to privatize social services by introducing Social Impact Bonds (SIBs). SIBs allow big multinational corporations to “sponsor” a program, and will receive a “return on investment” if the program succeeds. This would certainly affect our members as government funding is cut.
In fact, the last time the Pallister Conservatives were in power in Manitoba, they cut millions of funding to social service agencies, including many where CUPE members work today.In other provinces, Liberal governments have cut social services to the core.
- Health Care workers: When the Conservatives were last in power, Brian Pallister was a Cabinet Minister and he cut health care jobs. Many CUPE members remember the impact of these cuts.The Conservatives today are no different. They have already discussed finding ways to reduce the workforce in order to “save money”.
In Saskatchewan and Alberta conservative governments have privatized laundry services and cut jobs. The Alberta Conservatives even wanted to introduce fees for health care services. Albertans had enough, and voted in an NDP government.
In Ontario and BC, Liberal governments have found “savings” off the backs of workers. In BC, laundry services have been contracted out resulting in job cuts and pay cuts. Liberals in Manitoba would surely follow that lead.
- Municipal workers: Pallister’s Conservatives have a policy on the books to immediately rescind Manitoba’s groundbreaking Public Private Partnership Transparency (P3) legislation. By doing this they will eliminate accountability and transparency for P3s, which take away jobs from public sector workers, and are far more costly than traditional procurement.
Conservatives will also make sure that new infrastructure is owned and operated by private companies (through P3s), rather than municipal governments.
That means there will be less “need” for public sector workers like you, and it will likely result in downsizing and contracting out.Liberal governments have also promoted the use of P3s., especially in Ontario and the east coast.
The Ontario Liberals have been major advocates of P3s despite their Auditor General pointing out that P3s have cost Ontarians $8 billion more than traditional, government managed projects.
Liberal governments in Quebec have interfered in municipal bargaining, resulting in major labour action in municipalities across the province due to cuts, contracting out, and attacks on pensions.
- Crown Corporations: While Pallister’s Conservatives have denied that they would privatize Manitoba Hydro, the last PC government in Manitoba also denied they would privatize MTS, and then turned around and did so. The Pallister Conservatives have been constant critics of Manitoba Hydro and its planned developments.
The Manitoba Liberal Party has already indicated they will privatize Manitoba Liquor stores, which means they are likely eyeing other places to encourage privatization. Manitoba Liquor stores earn over $280 million in annual profits which are used by the provincial government to pay for government services such as health care and education.
The choice for CUPE members is clear:
At the most recent CUPE Manitoba Convention, members from across the province voted to endorse the NDP. If you take a look at the track record of the NDP in Manitoba over the years, it is clear they are prepared to work hard for workers in our province.
- School Sector workers: The NDP in Manitoba has consistently increased funding for schools. Class sizes have been reduced, while supports for staff have increased, including wages.
- Child Care workers: The NDP has tripled public child care funding, and has implemented wage enhancement to increase pay for child care workers. They have also promised to build more public child care centres, and increase spaces by 12,000. Manitoba has the most affordable child care outside Quebec, and the NDP is committed to universal child care for all.
- Social Services workers: Many of the social service agencies in Manitoba today exist because the NDP has prioritized community development, and has reinstated much of the funding that was cut in the 90’s.
The NDP hold the firm belief that investing in social services means investing in the community and protecting those who need it most. From supports for mental health to supporting the Truth and Reconciliation Commission recommendations: the Manitoba NDP support social service programs and jobs.
- Municipal workers: The Manitoba NDP has created the first-ever P3 Accountability Legislation in Canada, recognizing that public workers can do the job better, cheaper, and with more accountability to the taxpayer.
The Manitoba NDP has also consistently funded infrastructure, provided supports to municipalities across the province for things like arena maintenance, community programs, and parks.
- Health Care workers: The Manitoba NDP has consistently made health care a priority, and is building new personal care homes across the province. While other provinces are cutting jobs, cutting pay, and privatizing services, the Manitoba NDP have always invested in health care.
- Crown Corporations: The NDP will continue to invest in Manitoba Hydro, investing in both generation and transmission capacities. The NDP has promised to keep the MLCC public.
April 19 is an important day for CUPE members to get out and vote. But you can do more!
CUPE members are encouraged to volunteer in local NDP campaigns, and help re-elect Manitoba’s worker-friendly government. Talk to workers from other provinces about the challenges they’ve faced under Liberal and Conservative governments.
The stakes have never been higher, and now is the time to take action.
For more information on the provincial election, visit cupe.mb.ca/category/manitoba-provincial-election.
CUPE Local 2348 (Midwives) reject employer’s offer, move closer to strike
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.
CUPE Local 500 and WAPSO call for an end to vacancy management
The unions that represent Winnipeg’s municipal workers and the city’s administrative, supervisory, and professional staff, are calling for Mayor Bowman to end the Katz-era practice of not filling vacant positions.
“The city has been slowly eroding Winnipeg’s municipal workforce,” said Gord Delbridge, President of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), Local 500. “We need to ensure we have enough workers to provide the services Winnipeggers rely on, and that support is just not there.”
The effect of the city’s fourteen year property tax freeze, coupled with the equally long vacancy management program, puts a chokehold on the city’s ability to run services effectively.
“This budget highlights $20.9 million in vacancy management,” said Michael Robinson, President of the Winnipeg Association of Public Service Officers, (WAPSO). “Leaving a void this large in the municipal workforce is only going to reduce our ability to respond to the needs of Winnipeggers.”
Winnipeg’s municipal unions have been open to meeting with City officials to discuss initiatives that would improve services and find meaningful ways to save money at the same time.
“We know that Winnipeggers are tired of dealing with contracted-out municipal services,” said Delbridge. “I think it’s time to start talking about bringing these services back in-house to improve accountability to the taxpayer as well as a reliable service.”
“For every position left vacant, whether front-line, administrative, or in a support role, you are reducing access to the public” said Robinson. “Savings found in vacancy management are not actually savings.”
WAPSO and CUPE Local 500 would like to see leadership from the city on the following:
- An immediate end to the vacancy management program – to ensure adequate staffing levels in city services;
- A commitment to reject the contracting out or privatization of any municipal service – to ensure accountable and quality public service delivery;
- A commitment to bringing previously contracted-out services back in-house;
- Maintaining or improving the level of city services currently being provided to Winnipeggers – to ensure that our citizens do not receive cuts to the services they rely on.
“When the city’s professional staff, supervisors and workers join together, you know the issue is important,” said Dave Sauer, President of the Winnipeg Labour Council. “Winnipeg’s municipal workers are under a lot of pressure to do more with less, and Council needs to show them support.”
CUPE Local 500 represents approximately 4,600 municipal workers at the City of Winnipeg.
WAPSO represents approximately 800 administrative, supervisory and professional staff at the City of Winnipeg, Riverview Health Centre and the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority (WRHA).
Joint CUPE 500 / WAPSO release:
http://www.cupe500.mb.ca/news/local-news/cupe-local-500-and-wapso-call-end-vacancy-management/
Manitoba fiscal update is good news for province’s workers
The province’s Economic and Fiscal Outlook tabled in the Manitoba Legislature today offers a more progressive way of ensuring that the wealthy pay their fair share. With the implementation of a new tax bracket that would see Manitoba’s highest earners provide slightly more in income taxes, the province is able to expand tax credits and supports for lower income earners.
“The 98% of Manitobans who don’t earn over $170,000 per year expect the government to help build a more level playing field,” said Kelly Moist, President of CUPE Manitoba. “Ensuring that the wealthy pay their fair share is good for working families”.
The fiscal outlook is an excellent tool for Manitobans to understand the nature of government budgeting, as well as a current look into the state of the Manitoba economy.
“While the Progressive Conservatives used much of today in an attempt to filibuster the government’s update, we are pleased that it was ultimately tabled for Manitobans to view,” said Moist. “The PCs have yet to offer Manitobans anything of substance themselves, and instead turn to parliamentary tactics to stall valuable discussion”.
The Manitoba Government is also committed to continued funding to health and education, and expanding childcare, ensuring that the province builds stronger public services for Manitobans.
“Other provinces are opting to cut funding to schools and hospitals, while Manitoba chooses to invest,” said Moist. “Manitobans should be proud that this government continues to fund the services we all rely on”.
NDP’s International Women’s Day pledge to continue to close the gender pay gap welcome – CUPE MB
Today the Manitoba NDP pledged to continue to fight to close the gender pay gap if re-elected to govern the province on April 19 – a valuable reminder that work continues to be done in support of pay equity.
Minister of Health, and NDP candidate for Kirkfield Park Sharon Blady announced that the province would ensure that provincial budgets are created with a specific focus on the impact they will have for women.
“The Manitoba government has already been using this approach to provincial budgets,” said Kelly Moist, President of CUPE Manitoba. “Year after year the government has invested in sectors where work is traditionally performed by women – and that matters”.
While governments at every level are investing heavily in infrastructure, this work is traditionally performed by men. What makes Manitoba different is that in addition to funding infrastructure renewal, the government has also ensured consistent funding increases to health care, education, and social services – where work is traditionally performed by women.
Other provinces across Canada have been cutting funding to sectors where women perform the majority of work.
A Globe and Mail article published in advance of International Women’s Day found that Manitoba has the smallest gender pay gap in the country, along with PEI, while Alberta and Newfoundland have the largest gap.
“The government’s investments in sectors where work is traditionally performed by women has already paid off in helping to close the gap,” said Moist. “We still have work to do to eliminate that gap altogether, but we know we’re on the right track”.
Today’s announcement also included a one million dollar pledge to support grassroots organizations that fight against gender-based violence. This proactive approach compliments the province’s new ground-breaking legislation that would ensure paid leave for victims of domestic violence.
CUPE Manitoba will be responding to election pledges across parties in the lead up to the April 19 provincial election. More stories on the provincial election can be found here.
Local 2348 (Midwives) Bargaining Update
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.