Communications

CUPE 998 continues to advocate for members by addressing workplace issues that directly affect fairness, opportunity, and long-term job security. Through ongoing discussions with leadership, participation in committees, and engagement with members across departments, the union has been focused on several key priorities: reviewing jurisdictional positions, strengthening internal hiring processes, supporting career progression, addressing the use of contractors, and preparing for upcoming bargaining with Efficiency Manitoba.

Reviewing Jurisdictional Positions

CUPE 998 has been actively reviewing positions and job responsibilities across the organization to ensure that work remains properly aligned with bargaining unit classifications.

As organizations evolve, job duties and operational needs often shift. The union continues to review situations where bargaining unit work may be reassigned or where responsibilities expand beyond the original scope of a position. These reviews help ensure that the work performed by members is properly recognized and classified.

This work includes:

• Reviewing job descriptions and assigned duties
• Identifying where bargaining unit work may be shifting outside established roles
• Ensuring classifications reflect the work actually being performed
• Raising concerns when jurisdictional boundaries are unclear

Protecting bargaining unit work is critical to maintaining fair compensation structures and ensuring transparency when organizational changes occur.

Internal vs. External Hiring Processes

CUPE 998 continues to monitor hiring practices to ensure that internal candidates are provided with fair and meaningful opportunities to advance within the organization.

Members have raised concerns in situations where positions move quickly to external recruitment without fully considering qualified internal applicants. The union continues to advocate for hiring processes that recognize the experience and institutional knowledge of existing employees.

Efforts in this area include:

• Reviewing hiring processes for consistency with collective agreement language
• Advocating for fair and transparent internal competitions
• Supporting members who are navigating internal postings and promotions
• Raising concerns where internal opportunities may be limited

Strong internal hiring practices help support employee morale and recognize the contributions of current staff.

Supporting Workplace Progression

Career progression remains a key issue raised by members across multiple departments. CUPE 998 continues to advocate for clearer advancement pathways and appropriate recognition when job duties evolve over time.

This work includes discussions around:

• Job progression frameworks within departments
• Reclassification reviews when responsibilities increase
• Aligning job descriptions with the actual work being performed
• Supporting professional development and mentorship opportunities

Creating clearer pathways for advancement helps ensure employees can build long-term careers within the organization while supporting workforce stability.

Addressing the Use of Contractors

CUPE 998 has also been closely monitoring the increasing use of contractors in areas where bargaining unit work has traditionally been performed by internal staff.

While contractors may be used for specialized or temporary work, concerns arise when contractor use becomes long-term or replaces roles that could be performed by permanent employees.

The union continues to raise these concerns through discussions with the employer, focusing on:

• Protecting bargaining unit work from being outsourced
• Identifying situations where long-term contractor use may indicate a need for permanent positions
• Ensuring that internal expertise and institutional knowledge remain within the workforce
• Encouraging investment in internal staffing capacity

Maintaining a strong internal workforce is essential for both operational stability and employee job security.

Bargaining with Efficiency Manitoba

CUPE 998 is also preparing for the next round of bargaining with Efficiency Manitoba.

The union’s bargaining proposals are currently being finalized, with the next step being the presentation of those proposals to the employer. This process has taken additional time due to the recent transition of AMHSSE members into the CUPE 998 jurisdiction.

As part of this transition, significant work has been undertaken to carefully review and reconcile language differences between the two existing collective agreements. Ensuring that the agreement accurately reflects the rights, protections, and working conditions of all members is an important step in building a strong and unified collective agreement moving forward.

This work has included:

• Reviewing language from both collective agreements
• Identifying areas where provisions differ
• Ensuring protections are maintained for all members
• Developing proposals that reflect the needs of the combined membership

Although this work has required additional time, it is an important step in ensuring that the bargaining proposals presented to the employer are thorough, fair, and representative of the entire bargaining unit.

Continuing the Work for Members

The work of CUPE 998 is ongoing and guided by member input. By raising workplace concerns, reviewing organizational changes, and preparing for future negotiations, the union continues to advocate for fairness, transparency, and strong career opportunities for its members.

Members are encouraged to stay engaged, share their experiences, and participate in discussions that help shape the future of their workplace. Through collaboration and advocacy, CUPE 998 will continue to work to ensure that members’ voices are heard and their work is recognized.

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

Delegates from CUPE Local 998 joined thousands of CUPE members from across the country at this year’s National Convention, where we came together to celebrate our successes, share strategies, and chart the course for CUPE’s future.

This year’s convention was especially memorable, as CUPE announced a major milestone — we have officially surpassed 800,000 members nationwide. At a time when workers’ rights, wages, and public services are under constant attack, that number represents more than growth , it’s proof that workers across Canada are choosing to stand together for fairness, respect, and better working conditions.

Convention in Review

The week was packed with meaningful discussions, learning, and solidarity. It opened with orientation sessions for new delegates and sector meetings that allowed members from across the country to connect and share experiences from their workplaces.

Through the week, delegates debated resolutions, reviewed constitutional changes, and heard from guest speakers who inspired action and solidarity. Forums focused on health and safety, human rights, equity, and international solidarity, giving members space to share challenges and solutions across sectors.

One of the most powerful moments came during the midweek rally, where delegates took to the streets to show support for public services and fair treatment for all workers. The convention closed on a strong note with a renewed commitment to organizing, mobilizing, and building worker power in every corner of the country.

Building Strength Through Organizing

Since our last National Convention, CUPE has welcomed tens of thousands of new members into our union family — including more than 1,500 firefighters in Quebec, 1,200 clerical workers at Trillium Health in Toronto, and 1,200 cabin crew members at Porter Airlines. CUPE also celebrated the creation of its first local in the Yukon, representing 65 Air North flight attendants and crew.

These organizing victories show what’s possible when CUPE locals, staff, and members work together to grow our movement and extend union protection to more workers. Each new local strengthens our collective voice and our ability to fight back against privatization and corporate attacks on public services.

A Growing Voice for Workers

Across the country, CUPE members are pushing back against privatization, contracting out, and cuts to public services. We’re advocating for better wages, stronger benefits, and safer workplaces. Every resolution debated and every action planned at convention reflects CUPE’s commitment to defending public ownership and improving the lives of working people.

Our collective strength comes from the solidarity we build every day ,from our locals to our national campaigns ,and CUPE 998 continues to play a proud part in that movement.

Looking Ahead

With one million members on the horizon, CUPE remains Canada’s largest and strongest union — and we’re only getting stronger. The National Convention reminded us that our success depends on unity, solidarity, and the shared belief that every worker deserves respect and a fair deal.

As your CUPE 998 delegates return home, we bring renewed energy and new ideas to strengthen our local, support our members, and continue fighting for public power and good jobs for all.

Together, we are 800,000 strong — and still rising.

CUPE Local 998 has been recognized with the Communications Award for Best Use of Digital Tools for its Keep Hydro Public campaign. This campaign showcased the local’s ability to engage members and the broader community through strong, consistent digital messaging that championed public ownership of Manitoba Hydro.

In addition to this major award, Local 998 was also commended for its outstanding work producing three informative and engaging newsletters — Watts Matters, The Power-Line, and Wired In — which keep members connected, informed, and involved in their union.

Other winners included Hydro Québec, highlighting the strong and growing representation of CUPE’s energy sector at the CUPE National Convention. This recognition reflects the dedication and creativity of CUPE 998 members who continue to lead the way in communicating the importance of public power and worker solidarity.

WINNIPEG, TREATY 1 – CUPE Manitoba and CUPE 998, representing workers in Manitoba’s energy sector applaud today’s plan for Manitoba to reach net zero emissions. The report makes important progress on important initiatives.

“It is refreshing to finally have a government that believes our province’s future is tied to addressing climate change,” said Gina McKay, President of CUPE Manitoba. “The government’s plan also supports energy sector workers in the transition to net zero.”
The plan commits to public investments in charging infrastructure through Manitoba Hydro – a model pioneered by Hydro-Quebec which has been enormously successful in that province.

“Publicly owned electric vehicle charging infrastructure allows us to scale up building this technology into our economy as the world continues to shift towards electric vehicles,” said Michelle Bergen, President of CUPE 998 representing workers at Manitoba Hydro. “With Manitoba Hydro at the helm, we are positioning ourselves to be a leader in clean energy in transportation, job creation in the energy sector, while also reducing costs for Manitobans”. Read full media release here

Dear Sisters, Brothers, and Friends:

CUPE stands in solidarity with the members of the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) who have returned to the picket lines across the country after the Liberal government’s announcement of a plan to allow Canada Post to end home delivery, slash delivery speeds, and shutter post offices across the country.

CUPW members provide a vital public service – and these cuts are nothing short of a direct attack on the public sector in our country.

We are calling on CUPE members across the country to show your solidarity by supporting a CUPW picket line in your community. To find a picket line near you click here.

This situation is developing quickly – and we will update you as needed in the coming days.

In solidarity,
Mark Hancock – CUPE National President
Candice Rennick – CUPE National Secretary Treasurer