News

News

October 27 -- Today Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew released mandate letters to four Cabinet Ministers, outlining the expectations of the government to deal with health care, families, the environment, and labour & immigration.

“Manitoba’s workers are feeling hopeful with Premier Kinew’s vision for government,” said Gina McKay, President of CUPE Manitoba. “It has been too long since the government has taken the concerns of front-line worker seriously, and we are encouraged that this government has prioritized areas that will improve the lives of all Manitobans.

Events

CUPE is celebrating the work of its thousands of members in health care support roles across Manitoba. The Manitoba Government officially proclaimed October 16 – 20 as Health Care Support Workers’ Week. 

“Health care support workers keep our health care system working, and are a critical part of the health care team,” stated Gina McKay, President of CUPE Manitoba. “This week is a special week to recognize each and every health care support worker in every community across Manitoba”.

Meetings and Conventions

This week is the 48th anniversary of Grace Hartman's election in 1975 as the national president of CUPE -- the first woman in North America to lead a national union.

We are pleased to announce the Grace Hartman Women & Gender Rights Conference: Dec 4, 2023 in Winnipeg, Treaty 1. 

This conference was mandated by a 2022 convention Executive resolution to hold a Women's Conference in Grace Hartman's name in December 2023.

Meetings and Conventions

CUPE members and Locals are advised of the following upcoming CUPE Manitoba Committee meetings and the Election Caucus for the vacant Executive Board Young Workers Diversity Vice-President position.

Please note that Notice for the October 29 Young Workers' Election Caucus for the vacant Executive Board position was provided to all Affiliates on September 22, 2023.

Human Rights

CUPE Manitoba President Gina McKay is joining labour leaders from across Canada today outside the Saskatchewan Legislature in Regina to condemn Premier Scott Moe’s attempt to override the human rights of students by using the notwithstanding clause of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

On September 29, an injunction was granted temporarily blocking legislation in Saskatchewan that would require teachers to disclose to parents if students were using different pronouns.

Resources

Following the 2023 CUPE Manitoba Convention, and to mark CUPE-SCFP and CUPE Manitoba’s 60th Anniversary, we have worked with our local Union made-Union print shop (Hitek) to create an online store for members wishing to purchase CUPE Manitoba swag.

We are pleased to share the online store catalogue with you today and offer CUPE logo branded items in both French and English, as well as 60th anniversary logo branded items to mark our 60th year.

Human Rights

September 30th is the National Day for Truth & Reconciliation. CUPE Manitoba is committed to support reconciliation and justice for all Indigenous Peoples. It is also the tenth Orange Shirt Day, a chance to honour the memories of the Indigenous children whose lives were lost in the residential school system, and recognize the strength of the survivors and their families.

Human Rights

Photo Credit: Alex Karpa, Winnipeg City News

Statement:

Any leader who chooses to launch ad campaigns to ‘stand firm’ against finding the remains of missing and murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two Spirit Persons during Truth and Reconciliation Week is not worthy of being elected to the highest office in the province.

Events

The Province of Manitoba has declared the week of September 25-29 as School Support Staff Recognition Week.

Because of CUPE, the Manitoba Government has recognized the hard work of school support staff since 2013 and has set aside this important week to acknowledge the value of school support staff to our education system.

Long Term Care

Today at Extendicare's Maples care home in Winnipeg, Locals 2719 and 1475 announced a 99% strike mandate vote The private, FOR-PROFIT Maples was the site of Manitoba's deadliest COVID outbreak in 2020, infecting 231 residents and staff, with 56 residents losing their lives Extendicare has sent more than $84 million…