As we come to the close of another year, I want to take a moment to reflect on what CUPE 998 has accomplished together.
This year tested us in real and meaningful ways, particularly at the bargaining table. We faced one of the most challenging rounds of bargaining this local has experienced and came through it without a strike. Through determination, unity, and the strength of our membership, we secured more than a 12 percent wage increase over a three-year agreement.
This is the highest compensation increase CUPE 998 has ever achieved. That outcome was not accidental. It happened because members stayed engaged, stood together, and trusted the collective process.
Another significant milestone this year was the successful inclusion of all AMHSSE members from Efficiency Manitoba into CUPE’s jurisdiction. This was an important step in strengthening our union and ensuring these workers are protected moving forward. As we head into the new year, we will be entering bargaining for this group, with a clear commitment to securing fair wages, strong job protections, and meaningful contract language. The pre-bargaining survey has been distributed to Efficiency Manitoba members, and our bargaining team is in place and preparing for negotiations in early 2026.
Beyond bargaining, CUPE 998 continued to push where it matters. We have been pressing the corporation to formally review the Customer Engagement Centre, Customer Billing, Digital and Technology, and Technical Assistant classifications. These roles have evolved, workloads have increased, and expectations have changed. Our classifications must reflect today’s reality. We will also be placing a stronger focus on our administrative classifications, where we are seeing clear discrepancies between CUPE positions and comparable roles across the corporation.
Looking ahead to 2026, our priorities are clear.
We are preparing for arbitration for the interpretation of the .75% off cycle increment and will keep our membership updated as we go through that process.
We will be launching a strong campaign to address contracting out and defend bargaining unit work. More work is being shifted away from the CUPE jurisdiction, and we will not stand by while this continues.
Our Wages and Agreements Committee has established an adhoc committee to review all positions within our jurisdiction and to examine why our positions are being reclassed into other jurisdictions.
We are also taking a proactive approach to artificial intelligence and automation. These changes could affect how work is done. We will continue pushing for safeguards that protect jobs, workloads, and member dignity. Our focus is that technology should support workers, not replace them.
We will keep advocating for greater opportunities for our members. The growing reliance on external hiring is limiting advancement for employees who already have the skills, experience, and institutional knowledge. We are calling on the corporation to invest in its workforce and prioritize developing and promoting from within.
In January and February, members of your CUPE 998 executive will be meeting directly with members across all areas to hear your workplace issues and concerns. These conversations are essential. They help us understand what is happening on the ground and allow us to bring informed, concrete solutions forward to Manitoba Hydro Executive Leadership team in March.
I want to sincerely thank our executive, stewards, committee members, and volunteers for the work they have done this year. The time and effort you give, often behind the scenes, truly matter. To every member who attended meetings, spoke up, completed surveys, or reached out to the union, thank you. This local is only as strong as its membership.
As we move into 2026, we will remain focused on protecting your work, strengthening classifications, creating real opportunities, and standing strong through upcoming bargaining. In 2026, CUPE 998 will also celebrate 60 years as a local. It will be an opportunity to honour our history, recognize those who built this union, and celebrate the strength of our membership. More details will be shared in the months ahead.
We are proud of what we have achieved together this year, and we are confident in where we are headed.
Lastly, our executive would like to wish all our members at Manitoba Hydro and Efficiency Manitoba Happy Holidays.
Stay Warm, Stay Safe
In Solidarity,
Michelle Bergen
President, CUPE Local 998
Manitoba Hydro CUPE Members, remember the Wellness Subsidy is per CALENDAR Year… So you have a few weeks to spend the $350 allotted to you… 
The holiday season can be a difficult time for many people. While it’s often presented as a time of celebration, it can also bring added stress, financial pressure, grief, loneliness, and emotional strain. For some, mental health challenges feel more intense during this period, and those feelings don’t always disappear once the calendar turns to January.
CUPE 998 President was in attendance as the Lieutenant-Governor, the Honorable Anita R. Neville, delivered the Speech from the Throne on November 18, 2025, marking the opening of the Third Session of the 43rd Manitoba Legislature. The Speech from the Throne sets the government’s direction for the upcoming legislative session and outlines its priorities for the year ahead.