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A Message from Manitoba Federation of Labour President -Protecting Manitoban Jobs

Dear Sisters, Brothers and Friends,

Workers are rightly worried about the impacts of Donald Trump’s boneheaded tariffs. This is the latest step backwards by America, following Trump’s attacks on public servants, his elimination of employment equity, and his obsession with discriminating against trans people.

The Manitoba Federation of Labour will continue to push for government to first and foremost protect Manitoba jobs in response to these tariffs. Manitoba needs to invest in hiring Manitoba workers and building our province through stimulus spending on shovel-ready infrastructure in order to offset economic impacts in the private sector. The trend of seeing out of province license plates on construction sites needs to come to an end.

We need to ensure that taxpayer-funded business supports are tied to protecting and creating jobs, not money grabs that boost corporate profits.

At the federal level, the EI system needs to be expanded to help workers in this moment – including job sharing and other targeted supports. The federal government should also create new income supports for impacted workers who are unable to qualify for EI.

We must continue to defend and enhance our public services, which people will be counting on even more now. This has to include strengthening our social safety net.

As we focus on buying local, let’s ensure we are hiring local too and supporting good union jobs in our province. Manitobans are looking for ways to support their local economy more than ever right now, and the MFL maintains a Buy Local, Buy Union web page. This page is populated entirely by unionized employers that have been provided to us by MFL affiliates. While several unionized sites are listed on this page, we know that there are more out there.

I am asking for your help in building this page up so that we can highlight the great opportunities for Manitobans to buy local and buy union. Please review your union’s listings on this page by selecting “Choose a Union” on the left side of the page and let us know what unionized suppliers need to be added to our database by filling out the form at the bottom of the page.

I know that Manitobans will stand strong and help each other as we face these threats from the bully currently occupying the White House, just as we do when we stand together to fight a flood or give someone’s car a boost in the winter. Working together is the Manitoba way. Please keep us informed of how your members are being impacted by these tariffs so that we can target our asks and campaign work to meet your needs.

In Solidarity,

Kevin Rebeck
President of the Manitoba Federation of Labour

Jan 22, is Bell Lets Talk – Recognizing Mental Health

Bell Let’s Talk is a year round initiative committed to driving positive change by investing in mental health projects and programs and putting a spotlight on mental health through Bell Let’s Talk Day – Canada’s annual day for mental health is Jan 22.

This year, the campaign highlights the progress that has been made and discusses what still needs to be done to support those with mental health challenges, including Canada’s youth who are facing a growing mental health crisis ….. read more here 

Mental health is the cornerstone of overall well-being, influencing how we think, feel, and act in our daily lives. It encompasses our emotional, psychological, and social state, profoundly impacting our relationships, work performance, and overall quality of life. Just as we prioritize physical health through exercise and nutrition, nurturing our mental health is equally essential. It empowers us to cope with life’s challenges, build resilience, and maintain a sense of balance and fulfillment. Recognizing the significance of mental health not only fosters personal growth but also strengthens communities and societies as a whole, promoting empathy, understanding, and support for those struggling with mental health issues. By prioritizing mental health awareness, destigmatizing discussions around it, and advocating for accessible resources and support systems, we pave the way for a healthier, more compassionate environment.

If you or someone you know is struggling, here’s where to get help:

Manitoba Hydro offers the following : EGRAM Article

  • EAP – Employee Assistance Program
  • The yearly amount for mental health practitioners $3,000 per person, per year.
  • The list of eligible mental health practitioners is expanding. Instead of just psychologists, you will also be covered for care from registered counsellors, certified clinical counsellors, psychoanalysts, psychotherapists, social workers, and family, marriage, and sex counsellors.
  • Coverage for addictions treatment, to a lifetime total of $30,000 per person.
  • Call or text 988. Calls and texts are directed to a network of partners in communities across the country offering suicide prevention services such as counselling. The 988 service is available in English and French to all.
  • Talk Suicide Canada: 1-833-456-4566 (phone) | 45645 (text between 4 p.m. and midnight ET).
  • Kids Help Phone: 1-800-668-6868 (phone), live chat counselling on the website.
  • Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention: Find a 24-hour crisis centre.

This guide from the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health outlines how to talk about suicide with someone you’re worried about.

 

Show of Solidarity – Rally for CUPW (Canada Post)

Dear Sisters, Brothers and Friends,

After a year of stalled negotiations, CUPW members made the difficult decision to walk the picket line for fair wages, safe working conditions, and the right to retire with dignity – basic rights that every worker deserves. They’re also fighting for the future of our public postal service.

Canada Post’s management and their allies want to close post offices, slash jobs, and make it harder to receive your mail. Canada Post is a public service and should not be parcelled off to private interests. It belongs to all of us. We can’t let that happen.

The MFL is holding a SHOW OF SOLIDARITY RALLY in support of postal workers who are out on strike for a fair deal! Please join us at 208 Provencher Blvd. in Winnipeg on Friday, December 13 at Noon to show your support.

In Solidarity,

Kevin Rebeck
President of the Manitoba Federation of Labour

 

 

Canada Post Strike Action

It’s important that we all stand in solidarity with all unions on strike. CUPE would like to share this message from the CUPW Prairie Regional Office.

If you are interested in joining a picket line in Winnipeg, signs are available through our CUPE office. Please feel free to reach out for more details.

***On Behalf of The CUPW Prairie Regional Office***

As we have done in the past rounds of bargaining, CUPW has negotiated an agreement with Canada Post to ensure that Socio-Economic Cheques, including pension checks and child tax benefit checks, are still delivered. We do not want pensioners and people that rely on government assistance to suffer due to the strike.

As a result of performing this delivery, our picket lines will have less picketer’s available than usual and any assistance that could be provided by affiliate unions to help us on our picket lines would be a great show of solidarity.

On November 20th and 21st CUPW members will be delivering Socio-Economic Cheques. We are asking anyone that would like to show their solidarity and help boost the picket lines please do so by finding the nearest picket line location to them at the following link: https://act-cupwsttp.nationbuilder.com/picket_lines.

Please share this message with any of your locals or affiliates across Canada. Thank you!

In Solidarity,
CUPW Prairie Region