Sick Notes – New Rules Effective Oct 1, 2026

Manitoba’s new rules restricting employers from asking workers to get “sick notes” for short-term illness absences from work will come into effect on October 1.

Starting Oct 1, Employers will not be allowed to request sick notes for short term absences from work unless a worker misses:

  • more than a consecutive week of work; or
  • more than a total of 10 scheduled workdays in a given calendar year, even if those days are spread out.

If/when employers do request sick notes outside of the restricted periods, they will be required to reimburse workers for the cost.

(Note that the new rules do not apply to medical documentation that may be requested related to mat/pat leave or to work accommodations / safe return to work plans after longer-term absences.)

These new restrictions on employers will take a lot of pressure off workers and off our overburdened health care system. We commend the government for putting these new rules in place – the strongest and most worker-friendly rules restricting sick notes in the country.

Read more here 

Celebrating 60 Years of CUPE Local 998 in Brandon

CUPE Local 998 is celebrating 60 years of representing, supporting, and standing together with our members, and we’re bringing the celebration to Brandon!

We invite our Brandon-area members to join us for a special 60th Anniversary Lunch as we recognize this important milestone and celebrate the members who have helped shape our Local over the past six decades.

Friday, October 9, 2026
11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
235 10th St – Conference Rooms D & E

Lunch will be catered by CUPE Local 998, and we hope you can stop by, enjoy a meal with your fellow members, and help us celebrate 60 years of solidarity.

Please sign up in advance using the link that was sent out last week. A follow-up email will also be sent as a reminder. Registering ahead of time will help us plan accordingly and ensure we are prepared for everyone attending and also to address any dietary restrictions.

We look forward to celebrating with our Brandon members!

CUPE 998 60th Anniversary Gifts

Thank you again to everyone who joined us in celebrating CUPE Local 998’s 60th Anniversary! It was great to see so many of our members come together to celebrate this important milestone. Over 300 of our member were in attendance.

We want to make sure all CUPE 998 members have the opportunity to receive their 60th Anniversary gift, including those who were unable to attend the celebration.

Rural Members
Anniversary gifts will be sent out to CUPE 998 members working in rural locations.

Brandon, Selkirk & Efficiency Manitoba
We are currently working on arrangements to host a 60th Anniversary lunch for our members in Brandon and Selkirk, as well as our Efficiency Manitoba members. More information, including dates and locations, will be shared once arrangements are finalized.

Other Winnipeg Locations
For CUPE 998 members working at other locations throughout Winnipeg, we are currently coordinating the distribution of anniversary gifts. More information will be shared once those details are finalized.

Thank you for your patience as we work to make sure our members across the province are included in celebrating 60 years of CUPE Local 998.

Thank You for Celebrating 60 Years with Us!

On behalf of CUPE Local 998, thank you to everyone who joined us for our 60th Anniversary Lunch!

It was wonderful to see so many of our members come together to celebrate this incredible milestone. We truly enjoyed having the opportunity to connect with you, share some laughs, enjoy lunch, and recognize 60 years of CUPE Local 998.

 

CUPE 60th Anniversary Jacket Draw Winners

Congratulations to the holders of the following winning ticket numbers:

0357436
0357405
0357471
0357241

If you have one of the winning tickets, please contact the CUPE Local 998 Office to claim your 60th Anniversary jacket.

Thank you again to everyone who attended and helped make our 60th Anniversary celebration a memorable one.

Here’s to 60 years of solidarity, strength, and standing together!

CUPE Local 998

Congratulations to Our 2026 CUPE Local 998 Scholarship Recipients!

CUPE Local 998 is pleased to announce the recipients of our 2026/2027 scholarships.

We are proud to support students as they pursue their educational goals and to recognize their hard work, dedication, and achievements.

CUPE Local 998 Entrance Award – KAYLA BARAO – Daughter of Tony Barao – Infrastructure & Security – 453 Dovercourt

 

 

Ross C. Martin In-Course Scholarship – KYRA MAE NATIVIDAD (Summer Student Operations, Dorsey/Riel Converter Station)

 

 

CUPE Local 998 Reconcile Action Scholarship – MOLLIE LYSACK (Daughter of Melanie Lysack, Procurement Operations Department, 2-360 Portage Avenue)

 

 

CUPE Local 998 In-Course Scholarship – YASHSAVI NEGI (Summer Student, Work Management Department, 6-360 Portage)

 

 

 

Congratulations to Kayla, Kyra Mae, Mollie, and Yashsavi on being selected as this year’s scholarship recipients!

We would also like to extend a sincere thank you to everyone who applied for our 2026 scholarships. We appreciate the time and effort that went into each application and are pleased to see the continued interest in these opportunities.

On behalf of CUPE Local 998, we wish all of our scholarship recipients and applicants continued success in their education and future endeavors.

Congratulations from CUPE Local 998!