On July 6, 2026, CUPE Local 998 proudly celebrates 60 years of representing workers in Manitoba.

Since becoming a chartered union in 1966, CUPE 998 has spent six decades advocating for fair wages, strong benefits, safe workplaces, job security, and respect for workers across Manitoba Hydro and Efficiency Manitoba. Generations of members, activists, stewards, executive members, and staff have helped shape our union into what it is today.

Over the years, our union has played an important role in achieving improvements to collective agreements, protecting public services, supporting members through workplace challenges, and standing together during difficult times. From bargaining gains and workplace protections to modern benefits and advocacy, the strength of CUPE 998 has always come from its membership.

As we celebrate this important milestone, we also recognize the dedication and solidarity of all members — past and present — who helped build our union over the last 60 years.

Because July falls during the summer vacation season, CUPE 998 will be planning anniversary events for members this September in Winnipeg, Brandon, and Selkirk so more members have an opportunity to participate and celebrate together.

More details on these events will be shared shortly.

Thank you to all members for being part of 60 years of solidarity, strength, and union pride.

CUPE 998 continues to actively advocate for members by addressing workplace issues that impact fairness, opportunity, workload, and long-term job security. Since our last update, the union has remained engaged with leadership, workplace committees, and members across departments while continuing to enforce the collective agreement and advance member concerns.

Key areas of ongoing union work include:

Grievances and Workplace Fairness – We continue representing our members through grievances related to vacation scheduling, benefits, hiring processes, and concerns where senior qualified applicants were not selected. The union continues monitoring workplace trends and pursuing issues where collective agreement compliance is impacted.

Jurisdictional Review and Bargaining Unit Protection – The Workforce Jurisdictional Alignment Committee continues reviewing positions where duties closely align with the locals clerical, technical support, and sales-related jurisdiction. The review has identified overlap in technical support, coordination, reporting, operational, and administrative functions, raising concerns that bargaining unit work has shifted outside CUPE classifications. Ongoing work includes reviewing job descriptions, identifying classification inconsistencies, and advocating to protect and reclaim bargaining unit work.

Remote Work Advocacy – CUPE continues working with our National Office regarding the loss of a remote workday. A member survey will be distributed to gather feedback and data to support ongoing discussions with the employer and future bargaining priorities related to workplace flexibility.

Internal Hiring and Career Progression – The union remains focused on ensuring fair and transparent internal hiring practices and meaningful advancement opportunities for members. Discussions continue regarding internal competitions, promotional opportunities, reclassification reviews, mentorship, and ensuring job descriptions accurately reflect the work being performed.

Contractor Usage and Staffing Concerns – The local continues monitoring the growing use of contractors in areas traditionally performed by bargaining unit employees. The union is advocating to protect bargaining unit work, address long-term contractor reliance, preserve internal expertise, and ensure opportunities connected to projects such as SAP are made available to CUPE members where appropriate.

Efficiency Manitoba Bargaining – The bargaining team has exchanged 39 proposals with the employer based on member feedback and continues working to protect existing rights, language, and member interests throughout the merger bargaining process.

Arbitration Update – Preparation for arbitration has been completed, with documentation now provided to legal counsel ahead of proceedings scheduled for June. The local continues advocating for a fair resolution on behalf of affected members.

Your Executive team remains committed to protecting member rights, strengthening workplace fairness, and ensuring bargaining unit work and opportunities remain protected through ongoing advocacy, bargaining, grievances, and member engagement.