News

Midwives to hold info pickets

by

WINNIPEG – Midwives are gathering together to hold an info picket on Thursday, February 4th outside the Birth Centre on St. Mary’s Road, in an effort to raise awareness about the state of midwifery in Manitoba.

“We applaud the government for increasing funding for midwifery training, but we are falling behind other provinces when it comes to compensation” said Sheree Capar, CUPE National Representative. “We need to deal with recruitment and retention issues, and the best way to do that is to have competitive compensation so we don’t lose our midwives to other provinces or professions”.

CUPE 2348, representing approximately 30 midwives working in the WRHA, has held numerous meetings with a provincial conciliation officer in an attempt to reach a fair deal with their employer.

On January 13th and 14th, midwives voted 91% in favour of a strike mandate.

Info pickets will take place on Thursday, February 4th from 7 to 9 a.m. outside the Birth Centre at 603 St. Mary’s Road.

“We want to give the employer one last push to deliver a fair contract for Manitoba’s midwives,” said Capar.

The current collective agreement expired on March 31, 2014.
CUPE Local 2348 represents approximately 30 midwives working in the WRHA.

For more information on the state of midwifery in Manitoba, check out our 2014 infographic!

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

by

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

by
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

CUPE 5021 ratifies new collective agreement

by

Members of CUPE 5021 at Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries have ratified a new collective agreement that sees overall improvements to wages and benefits, and significant moves towards settling wage harmonization plans relating to the merger of Liquor and Lotteries in 2014.

Ratification votes were held on January 13 and 14, 2016.

“We’re pleased that we have been able to reach a new deal that addresses the recent merger and discrepancies between workers in Liquor and Lotteries” said Elizabeth Carlyle, CUPE National Representative. “The new contract better reflects the needs of all employees, and leaves space for continued conversations on bringing everyone on par.”

In addition to general wage increases, improvements to vacation entitlement for new employees, hours of work, flex benefits and increases to Discretionary Leave Time allowances, the new contract adds language to protect members from personal harassment (bullying).

“The bargaining committee worked tirelessly to achieve the best collective agreement possible,” said Carlyle. “We’re proud that this deal was achieved through meaningful dialogue between the employer and the union and we feel all parties have come out stronger”.

CUPE 5021 represents approximately 270 members at Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries.
For more information, please visit 5021.cupe.ca

Manitoba commitment to accessible public child care applauded

by

WINNIPEG – Tuesday’s announcement by the provincial government to increase public childcare spaces in Manitoba by 12,000 new spaces, while also increasing accessibility and wages will help strengthen Manitoba’s child care sector, says CUPE Manitoba.

“By ensuring funding for more spaces and by prioritizing wages and training, this government is supporting Manitoba families as well as those who provide the care for their children” says Kelly Moist, President of CUPE Manitoba.

CUPE Manitoba has always echoed the Childcare Coalition of Manitoba’s calls for improved funding for public child care spaces.

In June of 2015, Manitoba Progressive Conservative MLA Ian Wishart exposed the PC’s intention to move towards more private child care spaces in Manitoba, which would result in reduced quality, cut corners, and higher costs for Manitoba families.

“We’re pleased that the Manitoba NDP are standing to their commitment to support public, universally accessible child care” says Moist “we know that Brian Pallister’s PCs want to move towards a more private model, and that’s simply the wrong direction”.

CUPE represents approximately 150 employees in the child care sector in Manitoba.

Town of The Pas and CUPE Local 745 ratify 2 year agreement

by

Town of The Pas and CUPE Local 745 are pleased to announce the ratification of a new   2-year collective agreement which covers approximately 69 employees.  The employees include those in Administration, Public Works, Maintenance, Water Treatment Plant and the Wellness Center.

“We are glad that we have been able to work with the Town to ratify this new agreement” said Lori Sutherland, CUPE National Representative, “members of CUPE 745 are proud to deliver the public services that the community relies on, and look forward to working under this new contract”.

“I want to express my sincere gratitude to all our staff and management for the incredible effort and commitment that has allowed us to reach this agreement.” added Mayor Jim Scott .

The previous collective agreement expired in December 2014. The new agreement will continue through to December 2016.

– Joint release between CUPE 745 and the Town of The Pas

City agrees to meet with CUPE 500 to discuss improvements to snow clearing

by

At its meeting held on January 5, 2016, the City of Winnipeg’s Standing Committee on Infrastructure Renewal and Public Works, agreed to meet with representatives of CUPE 500 to discuss the union’s recommendations to improve municipal snow clearing in Winnipeg.

On November 3, 2015, CUPE 500 presented a comprehensive report to the Committee, highlighting significant cost savings that could be found by bringing Winnipeg’s snow removal services back in-house.  Currently 80 per cent of the service is contracted out.

“We feel strongly that there is significant room for improvements to our city’s snow removal services,” CUPE 500 President Gord Delbridge told the committee on January 5.  “It will take leadership from this Committee to move forward on the recommendations we presented in November.”

CUPE’s November report also included additional research provided through the Local’s Public Plowing Works Campaign report that highlighted the stories of hundreds of Winnipeggers who have had negative experiences with private snow removal.

In November, the city administration presented a contradicting report that suggested Winnipeg’s snow clearing should remain status-quo.

“Winnipeggers deserve more than “status quo” services,” said Delbridge.  “We want to sit down with the City and find ways to improve our service, and we believe one way to do that is to stop the contracting out of municipal snow removal.”

The Public Works Committee has agreed to ensure senior city administrators meet with CUPE 500 to further discuss the Union’s recommendations on improving snow removal in Winnipeg.  While the Committee has requested only a verbal report on the meeting, CUPE is hopeful that these discussions will be taken seriously.

“We look forward to meeting with the City to have our ideas heard,” said Delbridge. “What we have to offer is a reasonable and comprehensive plan to improve snow clearing in Winnipeg, and we welcome the opportunity to have these plans taken seriously.”

CUPE 500 represents approximately 4,600 employees at the City of Winnipeg.

Municipal workers in The Pas call on town council for fairness

by

The Pas – CUPE Local 745 is calling on town council to stand up for the municipal employees who work tirelessly for the community.

 

“As municipal workers in The Pas, we are proud of the services we provide to the community,” said John Gislason President of CUPE 745. “We are calling on town council to show us respect for the work we do”.

 

The collective agreement between the Town of The Pas and CUPE Local 745, representing the town’s municipal workers, expired in December 2014. Both parties have been negotiating since, and on August 31st members voted in favour of a strike mandate.

 

“It’s approaching a year since our contract expired, and now is the time for town council to stand up for its workers and negotiate a fair contract” said Gislason. “The people of The Pas value our work, but why doesn’t council?”

 

On Wednesday, December 16th, members of CUPE 745 will be presenting to town council at 6 p.m., highlighting the need to work together. Town workers will also focus on the need to ensure municipal workers are treated fairly and with respect.

 

“Residents of The Pas have always supported town workers because they know the kind of work we do every day,” said Gislason. “We’re looking for the same support from town council to help us achieve a fair contract”.

 

Outstanding issues include fair wages for the work municipal workers perform, and an opportunity to sit down with management to discuss implementation of job evaluations for clerical positions.

 

A strike deadline has not yet been established in order to give town council an opportunity to hear out its workers.

CUPE marks the Transgender Day of Remembrance, Nov. 20

by

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

by

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.