Communications

Important Reminder: CUPE 998 Communications Are Moving to Personal Email

At Cupe 998, keeping our members informed has always been one of our top priorities. As our union continues to grow and evolve, so do the ways we communicate to both our Manitoba Hydro and Efficiency Manitoba CUPE members.

What does this mean for you?

Going forward, important CUPE 998 communications will be delivered directly to your personal (home) email address through Action Network. You’ll receive updates on topics such as:

  • Bargaining and negotiations
  • Workplace issues and important announcements
  • Union meetings and events
  • Education and training opportunities
  • Campaigns and advocacy initiatives
  • Time-sensitive member updates

Why the change?

Our website and social media will continue to share news and general information, but not every communication is appropriate for a public audience. Many updates contain certain information intended exclusively for CUPE 998 members. Action Network gives us a secure and efficient way to communicate directly with our membership while protecting confidential or member-specific information. It also allows us to deliver urgent updates much faster than relying solely on our website or social media channels.

Help us keep you informed

To make sure you never miss an important update:

Watch for emails from CUPE 998 via Action Network in your personal inbox

Check your junk or spam folder the first time an email is sent and mark it as a safe sender

If you’ve recently changed your personal email address please use this form to update your information in our records.

Stronger Communication. Stronger Union.

Effective communication is one of the foundations of a strong union. By using Action Network, CUPE 998 can keep our members informed, engaged, and connected with the work your union is doing on your behalf. Thank you for helping us build a stronger, more connected CUPE 998.

CUPE Local 998 Proudly Celebrates 60 years

Today, CUPE Local 998 proudly celebrates 60 years of representing the technical and clerical employees of Manitoba Hydro and Efficiency Manitoba.

Since receiving our charter on July 6, 1966, generations of members have worked together to build a stronger workplace through solidarity, fairness, and collective action. Over the past six decades, our members have achieved significant improvements in wages, benefits, pensions, health and safety, job security, and workplace rights. These accomplishments were not simply given—they were earned through the dedication, determination, and unity of our members.

As we celebrate this milestone, we also recognize the many members, stewards, executive officers, committee members, retirees, and activists whose commitment has shaped the proud history of Local 998. Their efforts have laid the foundation for the strong union we continue to build today.

To commemorate this special anniversary, every member will receive a copy of our History of CUPE Local 998 booklet along with a limited-edition 60th Anniversary commemorative pin. These will be distributed through inter-office mail beginning July 6 as a token

of appreciation for your continued support and membership.

We are also excited to celebrate this milestone with our members in person. 60th Anniversary celebrations will be held this September in Winnipeg, Brandon, and Selkirk for both Manitoba Hydro CUPE members and Efficiency Manitoba members. Additional details, including dates, locations, and event information, will be shared in the coming weeks.

On behalf of the Executive Board, thank you for being part of our history and our future. As we celebrate 60 years of solidarity, we remain committed to protecting the rights of our members and continuing to build a stronger Local for generations to come.

60 Years of Service by and for CUPE Members of CUPE Local 998 

Honoring Our Past. Empowering Our Future – Celebrating 60 years of CUPE Local 998

CUPE 998 Celebrates 60 years

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.

UPDATE : The Work of CUPE 998: Protecting Fairness, Transparency, and Workplace Progression

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.

Canadian Labour Congress Rally – May 14, 2026

On Thursday, May 14, 2026, all Locals are invited to participate in Winnipeg – Treaty 1.

Join union members from across Canada as we come together in solidarity and celebration of the labour movement, and good jobs.

Participants will gather at the Winnipeg Convention Centre, 375 York Avenue, at 12:15 p.m., before marching together to the Union Centre at 275 Broadway Avenue.

The Rally will feature music, activities, and an opportunity to connect with activists and union members from across the country. BBQ food will be available for purchase.

We encourage everyone to bring your Local’s union flags and signs to help show the strength and pride of our movement – and as a host province to Canada’s Unions!

CUPE Local 998 has flags, if you are interested in attending please contact our office at 204-415-5114 so we can get a flag to you for the rally. We hope to see you there in solidarity!

 

Remote Work Update (Hydro) Member Input Needed

CUPE Local 998 is actively working with our CUPE National Representatives to better understand the real impacts of recent changes to remote work. CUPE is taking this very seriously.

Your experience matters, and we want to hear directly from you.

In the coming weeks, we will be launching a member survey focused on how these changes are affecting your work, your costs, and your overall work-life balance. The feedback we gather will play a key role in shaping our approach as we continue discussions with the employer.

To ensure your voice is included, the survey will be sent to your personal email address. As part of this shift, the Local will no longer be using work email accounts to communicate with members. It’s important that we have your most up-to-date personal contact information.

What you need to do:

  • Confirm that CUPE 998 has your current personal email address on file
  • Watch for further details, including the exact survey launch date, which we will share soon

This survey is an important step. It will give us the data we need to clearly demonstrate the impact of these changes and strengthen our position moving forward.

If you need to update your contact information or have any questions, please reach out to the Local directly at cupe998@shawbiz.ca

Your input will help guide the next steps.

 

May 1 – International Workers’ Day

Today, CUPE 998 recognizes May Day — a day rooted in the fight for fairness, dignity, and respect in the workplace.

It’s a moment to reflect on the progress workers have made through solidarity and collective action, and to recognize that those gains were never handed out — they were fought for.

We also look at where we are today. Workers continue to face challenges around job security, workload, workplace change, and maintaining a healthy balance between work and life. These conversations matter, and they’re happening because members continue to speak up and stand together.

CUPE 998 remains committed to protecting the rights of our members, advocating for fair treatment, and ensuring your voices are heard at every table.

May Day is about unity. It’s about strength in numbers. And it’s about continuing the work to build better workplaces for everyone.

Welcome Summer Students

Each summer, Manitoba Hydro & Efficiency Manitoba welcomes a new group of students who bring fresh ideas, curiosity, and energy to the workplace. Whether you are joining Hydro or Efficiency Manitoba for the first time or returning for another term, we are happy to have you with us.

Summer students play an important role across many areas of the organization. From supporting technical teams and field operations to assisting with administrative and project work, students contribute in meaningful ways while gaining valuable experience in their chosen fields. These placements are a great opportunity to learn more about the energy sector, develop professional skills, and build connections that can support future career paths.

For those returning for another summer, welcome back. Your previous experience and knowledge of the workplace help strengthen teams and create a supportive environment for new students joining this year.

CUPE 998 also encourages students to take time to learn about the workplace resources available to them. Understanding your rights, supports, and the benefits of working in a unionized environment can help ensure you get the most out of your summer experience.

Student Scholarship Program Reminder

Each year, CUPE 998 offers scholarships to support members and their dependents in continuing their education.

Information about the 2026–2027 CUPE 998 Scholarship Program, including eligibility criteria and application details, will be posted on our website in May with an email to follow once posted. We encourage students and families to keep an eye on the website for updates and application deadlines.

We wish all summer students a successful and rewarding term at Manitoba Hydro & Efficiency Manitoba. Welcome , and we hope your experience this summer is both meaningful and memorable.

Hybrid Work Schedule To Expand Mandatory In-Office Workdays (Hydro)

Good Afternoon CUPE 998 members,

This morning the Manitoba Hydro released a bulletin indicating their plans to change the hybrid work schedule to expand mandatory in-office workdays to include Wednesdays, beginning October 6.

This decision was not done in consultation with the unions. CUPE 998 is against the corporation’s position that the hybrid work model should be eroded.

Hybrid work results in higher productivity and is critical to recruitment and retention strategies. The employer’s memo today contains a considerable amount of vague values statements, but no tangible evidence that the return-to-work policy is effective in achieving any of those principles.

CUPE 998 will be following up with the employer to register our opposition to this move, and we will be reviewing all options at are our disposal to challenge it.

As always, if you have any questions, thoughts, or concerns please let me know.

In Solidarity,
Michelle Bergen
CUPE 998 President