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

CUPE would like to extend a warm welcome to our new CEO, Allan Danroth, at Manitoba Hydro. We are excited about the opportunity to work collaboratively with our new CEO and look forward to a successful partnership on this government’s core objectives.

We know this government is committed to keeping Manitoba Hydro public and reversing the previous government’s cuts and privatization. We look forward to working with the new CEO on delivering high quality, affordable public services that Manitoba families can count on.

Join CUPE with the Winnipeg Labour Council to Celebrate Labor Day on September 2nd at 3:00pm and recognition of the Winnipeg Labour Councils 130th Anniversary

Dear Sisters, Brothers, and Friends,

Something incredible happened yesterday in Canada’s House of Commons. Bill C-58, the legislation banning the use of scabs in the federally regulated private sector, received all-party support and passed unanimously at its third reading in the House of Commons. While the bill still needs to pass through the Senate, it is clear that strong anti-scab laws are popular in Canada.

As you know, Jagmeet Singh and Canada’s NDP as well as the Canadian Labour Congress have been pushing for strong anti-scab legislation at the federal level, with the NDP making it a requirement of their Confidence and Supply Agreement with the Liberals.

Bill C-58 is now the gold standard when it comes to anti-scab laws in Canada. It has broad application, prohibiting employers from using both external replacement workers and internal scabs. And it has strong enforcement tools, making violation of the law an offence, subject to fines of $100,000 per day for employers who violate the ban on replacement workers, while also treating that violation as an Unfair Labour Practice, with additional remedies to be ordered by the Board.

The MFL will continue to push to ensure that Manitoba’s anti-scab legislation meets this gold standard set by Canada’s NDP and the CLC, including banning external and internal scabs and establishing serious financial penalties for employers who violate this ban.

In Solidarity,

Kevin Rebeck
President of the Manitoba Federation of Labour