Members

Filipino Street Festival with CUPE Manitoba

Sisters, Brothers, and Friends,

CUPE Manitoba will be participating in the Filipino Street Festival.

Filipino Street Fest 2025 – You’re Invited!

The Filipino Street Festival includes the Filipino Cultural parade on August 16th, alongside two full days of representation in the village with our CUPE MB tent (August 16-17) at Maples Multiplex, 434 Adsum Drive.

Parade:
This year’s theme is WIKA, MUSIKA at SARI SARING PANGHIMAGAS ( Language, Music and assorted desserts). The Parade will be a walking parade this year, on Saturday August 16th, 6pm at Maples Multiplex.

CUPE Manitoba’s organizing committee is encouraging all Filipino/a members and allies to join us! Please be sure to sign up below so that we can count you in!

Organizing Committee:
Members of the Filipino/a community are invited to join the organizing committee to contribute to creating our parade entry and booth!
Through decorating, representation, and helping showcase our celebration of culture!

Sign up below through email.

In years past, we have had a number of CUPE volunteers, staff, and families participate, and new this year, we will be encouraging the planning and shifts at the event to showcase CUPE’s Filipino/a members to celebrate your leadership, activism and representation in the Union!
Please promote this event to your members and post the poster on your CUPE bulletin boards in workplaces.

If any members are interested in volunteering, please have them contact Deanna West at the CUPE Manitoba office: officeadmin@cupe.mb.ca.

We have a special T-shirt designed by the organizing committee, available for volunteers and the first 50 members that sign up to help represent CUPE Manitoba! Please RSVP no later than Monday August 11, 2025 by 4pm.  

The first 50 members will be confirmed through an Email reply where a shirt size will be confirmed. Shirts will be distributed the morning of the parade and are to be worn during the parade and event!

We look forward to hearing from you, and having you join us in representing the rich history, leadership and contributions of the Filipino community!

For more details on the events : https://manitobafilipino.com/

 

Welcome to Our New CUPE Local 998 Stewards

We are pleased to announce and welcome the newest stewards who have joined our Local 998 team. Stewards are a cornerstone of our union—dedicated advocates who work tirelessly to protect the rights and interests of all members. Their role is vital in supporting a fair, respectful, and supportive workplace for everyone.

Our new stewards bring with them passion, and commitment to union values. They are here to listen, support, and act—ensuring your voice is heard and your rights are upheld.

New Stewards for Hydro

  • Brent Bertram (Brandon)
  • Essa Alkhaldi (360 Portage Ave, 4th Floor)
  • Fran Hayes (360 Portage Ave, 19th Floor)
  • Liza Minotti (360 Portage Ave, 4th Floor)

New Steward for Efficiency Manitoba

  • Donna Kolish (City Place)

Our stewards serve as a link between the membership and the executive team, helping to ensure that concerns are heard, addressed, and acted upon with integrity and care. This is a two year term and training will take place early fall.

Please join us in welcoming and supporting these new stewards as they step into this important role. We encourage all members to connect with them regarding any workplace concerns, questions, or suggestions. They are here to serve you and strengthen our collective voice.

We would also like to take a moment to thank our current executive members who continue to serve as stewards.

In Solidarity,
Gordon Meneer
Lead Steward, CUPE Local 998

CUPE 998 Steward Drive

Becoming a CUPE 998 steward is a meaningful way to support your coworkers and help create a fair, respectful, and safe workplace.

As a steward, you serve as a vital link between union members and leadership, ensuring that everyone’s rights are upheld and voices are heard. It’s an opportunity to build your leadership skills, stay informed about workplace issues, and make a real difference in people’s day-to-day work lives.

Whether you’re helping to resolve conflicts, providing guidance on collective agreements, or advocating for better conditions, being a steward means standing up for fairness and solidarity

How to get involved

A Steward Information Session will be announced shortly for those interested in attending. This session will provide an overview of the role and responsibilities of a steward in the workplace

 

CUPE Bargaining Update – Hydro

This morning, the CUPE Bargaining Team presented our final offer to the Corporation. We are now awaiting their response. Once received, we will schedule a series of membership meetings for further discussion.

Our unwavering priority remains securing a fair and equitable contract—one that truly reflects the dedication, contributions, and value of our CUPE members. We are committed to keeping you informed throughout this process and will share updates as soon as new information becomes available.

Thank you for your continued support and solidarity.

In Solidarity,
Your CUPE Bargaining Team
Michelle Bergen, Jonny Maria, Jason Paintin, Gord Meneer, Natalie Sinclair & Michael Crowley

 

Winnipeg Jets / Manitoba Moose – End of Season Ticket Offers!

True North Sports and Entertainment has reached out to CUPE Local 998 with this exclusive offer for our members.

Winnipeg Jets Fan Appreciation Offer – April 16th

  • This game is almost sold out, but I have a few seats available for sale!
  • Cost is $90 per seat in the upper bowl (rows 5-8) and includes a hot dog, souvenir cup, and non-stop pop all game!
  • With it being Fan Appreciation, there will also be extra in-game giveaways and some amazing prizes!
  • To purchase tickets, please email Braden Fleury at Truth North Sports  directly with how many you would like and that you are a CUPE member. Limited tickets available

Winnipeg Jets – Sunday Showdown against Edmonton – April 13th

  • Similar to the Anaheim game, this game will be sold out, but I have a few seats available!
  • Seats are in section 310, rows 9-12
  • Come see Connor McDavid take on Connor Hellebuyck and the Jets, in what should be a playoff atmosphere!
  • Tickets are $170 each (savings compared to purchasing online)
  • Email me directly to purchase tickets!

Manitoba Moose Fan Appreciation / Whiteout Package – April 12th 

  • Get ready for the Whiteout with this special $45 package that includes:
    • Lower Bowl Ticket for the Manitoba Moose Fan Appreciation game on April 12th
    • Jets Whiteout T-Shirt
    • Ticket for the Street Party (Choice between game 1 and 2)
  • This is also the Moose Fan Appreciation Game, so will include some great giveaways and deals!
  • For the details, and to purchase tickets, please follow the link below
  • If you would prefer just tickets – I can do that directly as well for $20 each

 

CUPE Email Communication

CUPE wanted to provide some clarification regarding our recent email communications.

When sending bulk emails to our membership, we encountered issues with messages being blocked by Shaw ( cupe998@shawbiz.ca). As a result, we are now using our CUPE email address (cupe@cupe998.mb.ca), which is hosted on our SharePoint tenant, to resend those communications.

Additionally, we are currently in a transition phase from using Hydro email to our CUPE email, which has led to a few temporary hiccups.

To clarify, our office uses two email addresses: Shaw for day-to-day correspondence, and CUPE for bulk mailings.

 

CUPE Bargaining Update – Hydro

Negotiations between CUPE 998 and the corporation are temporarily on hold as both parties work diligently to finalize an Essential Service Agreement, in accordance with provincial legislation enacted in November. The Essential Services Agreement has now been finalized and CUPE will present a final offer to the corporation as we continue striving for a fair and equitable collective agreement.

We understand that this delay may be frustrating, but it is a necessary step to ensure we get it right. Your patience and support are greatly appreciated. We remain committed to keeping you informed and will provide updates as new developments occur.

In Solidarity,
Your Bargaining Team
Michelle Bergen, Jonny Maria, Jason Paintin, Gord Meneer, Natalie Sinclair & Michael Crowley

 

International Transgender Day of Visibility and The Two-Spirit and Transgender Day of Visibility in Manitoba

Join Local 998 and Union Activists from across Manitoba for the International Transgender Day of Visibility

Union Center at 275 Broadway will be holding a Flag Raising Ceremony at 10:00am in recognition of Transgender Visibility 

The International Transgender Day of Visibility was founded in 2009 by Rachel Crandall-Crocker a trans activist, psychotherapist and executive director of the nonprofit advocacy group Transgender Michigan. Rachel wanted a reason to come together and feel joy with other members of the trans community. “I wanted a day that we could focus on the living,” Crandall-Crocker said. “And where we could have rallies all as one community all the way around the world.”

On May 30, 2024, The Two-Spirit and Transgender Day of Visibility Act was passed in the Manitoba legislature designating March 31 an annual day to recognize two-spirit and transgender persons. The bill was brought forward by Logan Oxenham MLA for Kirkfield Park in Winnipeg and Canada’s first transgender politician elected to provincial, territorial or federal office.

“Two-Spirit” and “Trans” identities are intertwined with Indigenous cultures and the LGBTQ+ movement, with “Two-Spirit” emerging as a term in 1990 to describe Indigenous people who embody both masculine and feminine spirits, while “Trans” is a broader term for individuals whose gender identity differs from their sex assigned at birth. We also recognize that these identities and many other gender nonconforming identities have existed throughout recorded history and beyond.

Two-Spirit:

  • Origins:

The term “Two-Spirit” emerged in 1990 at the Third Annual Inter-Tribal Native American, First Nations, Gay and Lesbian American Conference in Winnipeg, coined by Elder Myra Laramee to describe Indigenous people who embody both masculine and feminine spirits.

  • Traditional Roles:

In many Indigenous cultures, Two-Spirit people held important social and spiritual roles, often as healers, visionaries, and community leaders, and were respected for their ability to bridge the gap between genders.

  • Colonial Impact:

European colonization and the imposition of Western gender norms led to the suppression of Two-Spirit identities and roles, with many Two-Spirit people facing discrimination and marginalization.

  • Contemporary Significance:

Today, “Two-Spirit” is an umbrella term used by some Indigenous people to describe their gender, sexual, and spiritual identity, and it is a way to reclaim and celebrate Indigenous traditions and identities.

  • Not a Universal Term:

Two-Spirit is a pan-Indigenous term, and not all Indigenous cultures use it or have the same understanding of it. Many Indigenous cultures have their own specific terms and concepts for gender-nonconforming people.

 Trans:

  • Broad Term:

“Trans” is a broader term used to describe individuals whose gender identity differs from their sex assigned at birth, encompassing a wide range of identities, including transgender, non-binary, and genderqueer.

  • Historical Context:

The concept of gender variance has existed in many cultures throughout history, but the term “transgender” emerged in the late 20th century to describe individuals who identify as a gender different from their assigned sex.

  • Struggle for Recognition:

Trans people have historically faced discrimination and marginalization, and the struggle for recognition and acceptance continues today.

  • Intersectionality:

Trans identities intersect with other identities, such as race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, and socioeconomic status, and trans people of color, Two-Spirit people, and other marginalized groups experience unique forms of discrimination.

  • Advocacy and Activism:

Trans people have played a significant role in the LGBTQ+ rights movement, advocating for their rights and challenging gender norms.

Additional resources:

CUPE’s Bargaining Beyond the Binary: A negotiating guide for trans inclusion and gender diversity.

CUPE’s info sheet on Pronouns and Gender Diversity.

Truth and reconciliation: CUPE taking action through collective bargaining

Canadian Labour Congress Workers in Transition Guide

 

CUPE Bargaining Update – Hydro

The CUPE 998 Bargaining Team remains committed to securing a fair and equitable agreement for our members. We are in the final stages of completing the Essential Services Agreement with the corporation—now undergoing legal review.

Bargaining will resume as soon as this essential services agreement is finalized. While there is currently no set timeline for the bargaining process, the terms of our previous agreement will remain in effect until a new one is ratified.

Our priority remains negotiating a contract that recognizes the value of our members and upholds the fairness and respect you deserve.

In Solidarity,
Your Bargaining Team
Michelle Bergen, Jonny Maria, Jason Paintin, Gord Meneer, Natalie Sinclair & Michael Crowley