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MFL Statement in Response to the Appointment of a Minister of Labour

Statement by Manitoba Federation of Labour President Kevin Rebeck in response to Premier Stefanson’s appointment of a Minister of Labour:

Premier Stefanson’s appointment of a Minister of Labour is long past due, as the absence of a Labour minister had made us an outlier in Canada for nearly six years. We are glad to finally have someone to work with on important issues that matter to working people in our province. However, today’s appointment is the bare minimum. What this government does to support working people over the next few months will matter most.

The pandemic has highlighted just how much we rely on workers. And it is clear that workers need more support from this government.

There is a desperate need for government to fix chronic staffing shortages in health care and other areas of the public sector, as well as to create permanent paid sick days so that Manitobans are not forced to choose between going to work sick to pay the bills or staying home to protect public health. Low-wage workers also need a meaningful increase to the province’s embarrassing minimum wage, which is scheduled to drop to the second-lowest in the country this spring.

We look forward to working with Minister Helwer to support working families who continue to face the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, rising prices for groceries and other necessities, and strains on the public services we all rely on.

 

MFL – National Day of Remembrance & Action on Violence Against Women

This years December 6th Virtual Memorial Service in honor of the National Day of Remembrance & Action on Violence Against Women. This year’s event will be structured as a zoom webinar (12:00 PM – 12:30 PM), and will include an important address from our special guest speaker, CLC President, Sister Bea Bruske, on the topic: Ending Sexism, Harassment & Violence: Union Work, Union Responsibility. In order to participate, you will need to REGISTER IN ADVANCE (link enclosed).

Warning: this event will deal with themes of violence against women and femicide, which may be triggering for some participants.
If you find yourself in need of urgent support, please contact the Klinic Crisis Line (24/7) at: 204-786-8686 / 1-888-322-3019.

 

Hard Infrastructure, Hard Times: Workers Perspectives on Privatization and Contracting out of Manitoba Infrastructure

A Report was put out by MRA ( Manitoba Research Alliance) about the workers perspectives on Privatization and Contracting out of Manitoba Infrastructure
For several years, the Manitoba government led by the Progressive Conservatives has been pushing hard to reduce the number of government workers, while transferring work and contracts to the private sector. This report examines the push for privatization and contracting out of design and maintenance of Manitoba’s infrastructure and transportation services. The report focuses on gathering the perspective of government workers who are or were responsible for a variety of tasks such as highway and bridge maintenance, including snow clearing, capital project planning and delivery, road safety and enforcement, including regulation of trucking, maintenance of the provincial vehicle and equipment fleet, operation of water structures and ferries, as well as winter roads.
Findings, based on reports from workers, include:
  • Short-staffing is jeopardizing public safety and leading to burnout.
  • Workers predicting a reduction in quality of service and assets from the changes.
  • Workers expecting higher costs for taxpayers and reduced value for money.
  • Civil service expertise is being ignored, with workers shut out of the process.

These negative results regarding service quality and public safety are consistent with earlier studies, with Manitoba ignoring the evidence. The report concludes that the destruction of internal capacity built up over decades will be costly and challenging to undo, and that Manitobans, along with public sector workers, are already paying the price. Read full report here

 

CUPE & Manitoba Hydro Recognizes the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

As Posted By Manitoba Hydro

A vivid orange flag now flies in front of 360 Portage Avenue to honor the survivors of the residential school system, their families and their communities, and to remember those who never returned home.

“With both Orange Shirt Day and the new National Day for Truth and Reconciliation statutory holiday on September 30, raising the Every Child Matters flag today is a pathway forward  for Manitoba Hydro to show our support to Indigenous peoples as we remember the impact and legacy of residential schools,” said Kevin Monkman (Indigenous & Community Relations). “Flying the flag outside our corporate headquarters is a meaningful statement – it visibly shows that our organization is standing with Indigenous peoples and communities to work towards reconciliation.”

The new national holiday fulfills Call-to-Action #80 of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Final Report from 2015. It is intended to serve as a day of remembrance, reflection, action and learning. All Manitoba Hydro offices will be closed on Thursday, September 30, as Manitoba Hydro recognizes the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. Emergency service response will continue as per normal practice.

“It’s important for people to understand there is a connection between what we have come to know as Orange Shirt Day on September 30, and the work of the Truth & Reconciliation Commission to bring forward the truth about the residential school system for healing, to commemorate this legacy, and to pave the way for reconciliation,” said Maria M’Lot (Indigenous & Community Relations).

“For some, this just may be a day off work, however our hope is that many will take an opportunity to learn or participate in events or programming offered as we still have much work to do to right this great wrong.”

An Every Child Matters flag will be displayed at the Keeyask Project where a full day of on-site events are planned for September 30.

a group of people standing in front of a building
Rose Monkman (Distribution Engineering) raises the Every Child Matters flag outside 360 Portage Ave. Kevin Monkman (Policy & Strategic Initiatives), Susan Collins (Policy & Strategic Initiatives), and Vicky Cole (Director, Indigenous & Community Relations) stand behind.

How you can take part:

  • Read a book by an Indigenous author.
  • Review the 94 Truth and Reconciliation calls to action and commit to at least one.
  • Watch online events hosted by National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation.
  • Identify and support local Indigenous organizations and businesses.​​​​​​​

Bookmark your calendar with these virtual events and sample of other events and activities happening next week:

Tuesday, September 28, 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.: ​​​​​​​Indigenous Speakers Series: Joseph Maud – My Experience with Residential Schools and their Legacy. Click here to join the meeting

Wednesday, September 29, 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.:  Indigenous Speakers Series: Darryl Taylor – My Experience with Residential Schools and their Legacy. Click here to join the meeting

​​​​​​​Local events in Manitoba:

Monday, September 27 to Wednesday, September 29: Reconciliation Week Sacred Fire – Winnipeg, Memorial Provincial Park across from Legislative Grounds

On Thursday, September 30:

  • Orange Shirt Day Pow Wow – Winnipeg
  • Orange Shirt Day – Keewatin Tribal Council – Thompson, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. MA-MOW-WE-TAK Friendship Centre – 4 Nelson Drive Thompson, Manitoba
  • Honour Our Ancestors Gathering – Thompson, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Royal Canadian Legion – 101 Elizabeth Drive Thompson, Manitoba

Friday, October 1, 11 a.m. Every Child Matters Ceremony – Winnipeg, SSCY Centre – 1155 Notre Dame Avenue.

​​​​​​​Online events:

  • National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation Week: Eventbrite Sign Up – Truth and Reconciliation Week​​​​​​​
  • Thursday, September 30:  Virtual Story Time – The Orange Shirt Story by Phyllis Webstad, 8:30 a.m. Register at www.guelphpl.ca/events
  • Thursday, September 30: Tk’emlúps Nation extends invitation to mark National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, Secwépemc Honour Song to drum and sing, 2:15 p.m. (Pacific time) https://vimeo.com/606861755​​​​​​​​​​​​​​