News

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
members.
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

 

Manitoba budget supports infrastructure. What it means for CUPE members

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

Throughout this week we will be featuring a number of key CUPE sectors and how the budget affects members within that sector.

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 members in Manitoba are represented in workplaces across the province, in almost every community. Building physical infrastructure like roads means a lot to CUPE members.

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

Investments in infrastructure make it easier and safer for our members to do their jobs, to get to work and return home to their families safely. The Manitoba government has introduced numerous safety measures over the years to protect both drivers as well as CUPE members who work on roads (including municipal workers).

From school bus drivers to health care aides getting to work, this government’s prioritisation of improved roads means a lot to CUPE members.

Some highlights of new improvements to roads in Manitoba include: elections

–       Repaving PTH 10- near Swan River and south of Flin Flon.

–       PTH 6 north

–       PTH to Steinbach

–       PTH 10 north and south of Brandon

The province is also committed to improving roads and flood protection in Winnipeg and across the province as well as expanding and improving transit services, making it easier for CUPE members to have access to reliable transit.

Althought Manitoba is the first province in Canada to implement P3 accountability legislation (a move supported by CUPE), we will work with the province to push back against any type of P3 highway project as seen in Ontario.

Stay tuned for “Manitoba budget fights poverty. What it means for CUPE members”

 

Manitoba budget supports childcare and social services. What it means for CUPE members

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

Throughout this week we will be featuring a number of key CUPE sectors and how the budget affects members within that sector.

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 members in Manitoba work in childcare facilities across the province, as well as working as support staff in Winnipeg Child and Family Services.

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

Child Care       

The province is funding 900 new universally accessible and affordable childcare spaces and is supporting higher wages for child-care (ECE) workers as well as building and expanding child-care centres.

This commitment to increasing wages through wage enhancement for child-care workers is welcome and will continue to improve working conditions and raise the bar for all child-care workers.

However CUPE is continuing to exert pressure on both the provincial and federal governments to ReThink Childcare, and provide a better child care system for all.

Social Services

The province is increasing funding to family services by $20 million. This includes the commitment to increase staffing in Child and Family Services by 210 new workers, many of whom will be CUPE members.

The government has also begun providing funding for the Community Living wage enhancement fund, an initiative that was a result of a strong campaign by CUPE Local 3085 Community Living Selkirk.

We all care for Manitoba’s children, and this budget helps to increase access to childcare and provide much-needed resources to our members who care for children in need.

Stay tuned for “Manitoba budget supports infrastructure. What it means for CUPE members”

Manitoba budget supports health care. What it means for CUPE members

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

Throughout this week we will be featuring a number of key CUPE sectors and how the budget affects members within that sector.

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 members work in hospitals, long-term care facilities, and community clinics across Manitoba.

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

The Manitoba budget commits to ensuring that there are no cuts to front-line health services that Manitobans rely on. Other jurisdictions like Saskatchewan are privatizing some health care services, and places like Alberta are cutting funding outright..

“While some have called for reckless cuts to front-line services and a halt to building of critical infrastructure, we have chosen a different path” said Finance Minister Greg Dewar.

CUPE Manitoba is pleased that the province continues to push the Federal government to restore funding to the Health Accord – a national campaign of CUPE and the Council of Canadians.

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CUPE members rallying outside Federal MP offices, calling for a renewal of the Health Accord.

The budget documents recognize that “due to another unilateral decision, the federal government’s contribution to health care in Canada will be reduced by about $26 million … it will come at the expense of provinces and territories”.

In 2014 CUPE health care members rallied outside the offices of conservative MPs in Winnipeg calling on the restoration of this funding.

While there is still work to do to fight for better wages and a stronger health care system, the Manitoba budget is building on – rather than eroding – health care in the province.

Long Term Care

The government is increasing funding to Long-Term Care services by 10.7%, or $62.3 million in new funding. A significant increase to help improve long term care in the province. However CUPE will continue to work with the government to ensure that this funding goes towards improved staffing. CUPE Manitoba and the Private Personal Care Home Committee (PPCH) recently met with the Minister of Health to discuss concerns around staffing.

CUPE will continue to work with the provincial government to end the practice of “working short” in long term care facilities, particularly privately operated personal care homes.

Stay tuned for “Manitoba budget supports childcare and social services. What it means for CUPE members”

Manitoba budget supports education. What it means for CUPE members

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

Throughout this week we will be featuring a number of key CUPE sectors and how the budget affects members within that sector.

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 members are the backbone of our education system, from K-12 through to post-secondary education. CUPE members work as school bus drivers, mechanics, custodians, education assistants, librarians, and other support staff in our schools, and as sessional instructors, librarians, teaching assistants, and grader-markers at the University of Manitoba, many of whom are students themselves.

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

K-12 Education

The provincial government is increasing funding for K-12 education, ensuring that our school system receives the funding it needs to provide quality education for our children. This is in stark contrast to other provinces like Ontario and BC that have made drastic cuts and forced education support staff and teachers to strike.

Post-Secondary Education

The budget presents $20 million in new funding for post-secondary education, which includes a 2.5% funding increase to Manitoba universities and 2% to colleges.

Other provinces like Alberta, Ontario, and Saskatchewan have have been cutting funding to post-secondary education, and university administrations have been permitted to raise tuition by exorbitant rates, forcing faculty and support staff to strike. Even Manitoba’s university presidents applaud the government’s funding commitment, and recognize the cuts faced in other provinces (though while they support the government for rejecting cuts, the university administrators are imposing cuts themselves on workers).

The government is also realizing its commitment to eliminating interest on all Manitoba student loans, making post-secondary education more accessible.

The budget also removes car ownership as a barrier to accessing student loans, a move advocated by the Canadian Federation of Students ­ Manitoba.

The province has committed to the creation of a new Post-Secondary Strategy, which CUPE will be actively monitoring to ensure it includes support for our members and the community at the University of Manitoba.

CUPE will continue to push back against the University of Manitoba administration to fight against proposed cuts to programs, departments, or staff, and encourage the provincial government to reduce tuition fees and treat staff fairly.

Stay tuned for “Manitoba budget supports health care: What it means for CUPE members”

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.