Please join the Manitoba Federation of Labour in marking The National Day of Mourning on April 28, 2022.
The Safe Workers of Tomorrow (SWOT) Leaders’ Walk will begin at 11:30 AM, leaving from the Union Centre and proceeding down Broadway to the new Workers Memorial at Memorial Park.
A Day of Mourning ceremony will be held at Memorial Park beginning at 12 PM, and will include an official unveiling of the new Workers Memorial.
Statement by Manitoba Federation of Labour President Kevin Rebeck in response to Premier Stefanson’s appointment of a Minister of Labour:
Premier Stefanson’s appointment of a Minister of Labour is long past due, as the absence of a Labour minister had made us an outlier in Canada for nearly six years. We are glad to finally have someone to work with on important issues that matter to working people in our province. However, today’s appointment is the bare minimum. What this government does to support working people over the next few months will matter most.
The pandemic has highlighted just how much we rely on workers. And it is clear that workers need more support from this government.
There is a desperate need for government to fix chronic staffing shortages in health care and other areas of the public sector, as well as to create permanent paid sick days so that Manitobans are not forced to choose between going to work sick to pay the bills or staying home to protect public health. Low-wage workers also need a meaningful increase to the province’s embarrassing minimum wage, which is scheduled to drop to the second-lowest in the country this spring.
We look forward to working with Minister Helwer to support working families who continue to face the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, rising prices for groceries and other necessities, and strains on the public services we all rely on.
This years December 6th Virtual Memorial Service in honor of the National Day of Remembrance & Action on Violence Against Women. This year’s event will be structured as a zoom webinar (12:00 PM – 12:30 PM), and will include an important address from our special guest speaker, CLC President, Sister Bea Bruske, on the topic: Ending Sexism, Harassment & Violence: Union Work, Union Responsibility. In order to participate, you will need to REGISTER IN ADVANCE (link enclosed).
Warning: this event will deal with themes of violence against women and femicide, which may be triggering for some participants.
If you find yourself in need of urgent support, please contact the Klinic Crisis Line (24/7) at: 204-786-8686 / 1-888-322-3019.
These negative results regarding service quality and public safety are consistent with earlier studies, with Manitoba ignoring the evidence. The report concludes that the destruction of internal capacity built up over decades will be costly and challenging to undo, and that Manitobans, along with public sector workers, are already paying the price. Read full report here
As Posted By Manitoba Hydro
A vivid orange flag now flies in front of 360 Portage Avenue to honor the survivors of the residential school system, their families and their communities, and to remember those who never returned home.
“With both Orange Shirt Day and the new National Day for Truth and Reconciliation statutory holiday on September 30, raising the Every Child Matters flag today is a pathway forward for Manitoba Hydro to show our support to Indigenous peoples as we remember the impact and legacy of residential schools,” said Kevin Monkman (Indigenous & Community Relations). “Flying the flag outside our corporate headquarters is a meaningful statement – it visibly shows that our organization is standing with Indigenous peoples and communities to work towards reconciliation.”
The new national holiday fulfills Call-to-Action #80 of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Final Report from 2015. It is intended to serve as a day of remembrance, reflection, action and learning. All Manitoba Hydro offices will be closed on Thursday, September 30, as Manitoba Hydro recognizes the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. Emergency service response will continue as per normal practice.
“It’s important for people to understand there is a connection between what we have come to know as Orange Shirt Day on September 30, and the work of the Truth & Reconciliation Commission to bring forward the truth about the residential school system for healing, to commemorate this legacy, and to pave the way for reconciliation,” said Maria M’Lot (Indigenous & Community Relations).
“For some, this just may be a day off work, however our hope is that many will take an opportunity to learn or participate in events or programming offered as we still have much work to do to right this great wrong.”
An Every Child Matters flag will be displayed at the Keeyask Project where a full day of on-site events are planned for September 30.
Tuesday, September 28, 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.: Indigenous Speakers Series: Joseph Maud – My Experience with Residential Schools and their Legacy. Click here to join the meeting
Wednesday, September 29, 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.: Indigenous Speakers Series: Darryl Taylor – My Experience with Residential Schools and their Legacy. Click here to join the meeting
Local events in Manitoba:
Monday, September 27 to Wednesday, September 29: Reconciliation Week Sacred Fire – Winnipeg, Memorial Provincial Park across from Legislative Grounds
On Thursday, September 30:
Friday, October 1, 11 a.m. Every Child Matters Ceremony – Winnipeg, SSCY Centre – 1155 Notre Dame Avenue.