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Dear Sisters, Brothers, and Friends,

Finally, after 50 years of fighting, we have won 50% + 1 card check and anti-scab legislation. And thanks to Premier Wab Kinew and his NDP government, we have the strongest card check and anti-scab law in Canada.

Bill 37 was given Royal Assent last night, meaning 50% + 1 card check and a ban on scab labour are now the law in Manitoba. Our labour movement never lost hope of winning these protections for workers, and now the dreams of generations of union activists have come true.

Now that this law is in place, it is easier than ever before for workers to join a union. If a majority of employees in a workplace sign a union application card, they’ll get a union.

Due to amendments that the government made, Manitoba’s anti-scab law includes the broadest definition of scab labour in Canada. And it also includes earlier exemptions for unions and employers who don’t supply any essential services, reducing red tape and conflict around essential service agreements.

For much more information about the new rules regarding card check, anti-scab and essential services, please read our FACT SHEET. We have also included a POSTER announcing this major win for working people and their unions in Manitoba.

Unfortunately, the Legislative Assembly website has not yet been updated to incorporate the newly adopted amendments into the text of Bill 37. The website still has the original text of Bill 37 (see Schedule D), and, separately, the amendments.

To make things easier, we’ve created our own updated version of the bill, with all the amendments included.

I want to thank all of the unions and labour activists who helped us win this historic rebalancing of Manitoba’s labour laws.

Thank you as well to Premier Kinew and Labour Minister Malaya Marcelino for championing card check and anti-scab, and to Finance Minister Adrien Sala for bringing these protections forward in his budget legislation after the Opposition PCs tried to block them from being introduced.

These new rights for workers will mean bigger paycheques, greater job security and safer workplaces.

Let’s Get Organizing.

In Solidarity,
Kevin Rebeck
President of the Manitoba Federation of Labour

Each year, September 30 marks the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. The day honor’s the children who never returned home and Survivors of residential schools, as well as their families and communities.

On this day we honor the lost children and Survivors of residential schools, their families and communities. Widespread public commemoration and acknowledgement of the tragic and painful history, continued impact, and intergenerational trauma of Canada’s residential school legacy is a vital component of the reconciliation process. You can visit the NTRC website here for more information about events happening around Winnipeg and across Canada. Also you can visit the CUPE National Website for more information