The party that wins the Manitoba election on Sept. 11 will prove crucial to ensuring unions in the province can defend the rights of their workers. Changes have occurred under the Pallister government that has negatively affected many of UFCW’s members, Local 832 president Jeff Traeger said. The current Labour Relations Act, Employment Standards Code, Continue readingManitoba election results critical to unions
Manitoba
On Thursday, August 22, Manitoba’s health care unions underwent a massive shift, with CUPE becoming the largest health care union in the province over MGEU. As mandated by the PC government’s Bill 29, the Health Care Bargaining Review Act, health care workers were required to vote whether to remain with their present union, or join Continue readingPallister’s forced health care votes shakes up MB union numbers
by Emily Leedham From May 8-11, 2019, Winnipeg unions hosted the 1919 Winnipeg General Strike Centenary Conference: inviting union members, labour activists and leaders from across Canada to reflect on the history for the General Strike, and apply its lessons to the present and future of the labour movement. This episode will explore the relationship Continue reading1919-2019: Labour, Colonialism & Solidarity with Indigenous Peoples
On Wednesday, June 26, Winnipeg Transit drivers, members of ATU Local 1505, announced they would not enforce fares on Thursday, June 27, which included transit to the Winnipeg Blue Bomber’s home opener. Last month, ATU Local 1505 took its first legal job action on May 14, 2019, not enforcing fares for riders. Shortly after, the Continue readingBus drivers on second “fare strike” give Winnipeggers free transit
by Emily Leedham Winnipeg Transit drivers, who are members of Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1505, will not be enforcing fares from riders tomorrow, Thursday, June 27. This will be the second time ATU 1505 has taken this form of job action, the first “fare strike” taking place last month on Tuesday, May 14th. After the Continue readingWinnipeg Transit drivers go on second “fare strike” tomorrow
This week, Alberta premier Jason Kenney introduced Bill 2, an Act to Make Alberta Open for Business. This bill overall reduces labour costs for employers by reducing holiday and overtime pay, and introducing a youth minimum wage at 13$ which is lower than the $15 minimum wage introduced by the NDP. The bill also removes Continue readingFighting for $15 on the Prairies
by Emily Leedham Update May 31, 2019: ATU 1505 Members have voted 97% against the City’s offer. Voter turnout was 84%. No job action announced for the weekend, but the union says there will be action in the “coming days,” and will inform the public ahead of time. ATU 1505 also invited the City back Continue readingWinnipeg Transit drivers may take job action this weekend
As activists organizing with the Our Time campaign put together town halls in cities across Canada to discuss what a Green New Deal would look like for Canada, the wildfire season had already begun. Alberta’s High Level fire forced over 4,000 town residents and nearby First Nations communities to evacuate their homes. What does wildfire Continue readingWhat is it like to fight wildfires?
On Monday, May 13th, WestJet announced it was being bought out by a private equity firm Onex for 5 billion dollars. This would take WestJet from being a publicly traded company to a private one. WestJet pilots and cabin crew members have unionized all within the past several years. Chris Rauenbusch, president of CUPE Local Continue readingWhat will WestJet’s sale to Onex mean for workers?
By Emily Leedham On Tuesday, May 14, the majority of Winnipeg Transit drivers, who are members of ATU Local 1505, did not enforce payment from transit riders. This “fare strike” is the first time the ATU has done this type of action in North America. “Well, our members are tired and they wanted some action,” Continue readingWinnipeg Transit drivers’ fare strike ATU’s first in North America
Winnipeg Transit drivers, members of ATU Local 1505, will take their first job action on Tuesday, May 14th. Drivers will not be enforcing fares tomorrow. Essentially, if you don’t pay, drivers will look the other way. Members of ATU 1505 and community volunteers will leaflet bus stops today to inform transit riders of Tuesday’s job Continue readingWinnipeg transit drivers not enforcing fares on Tuesday
Around 400 Nurses and healthcare workers filled the front steps of the Manitoba legislature on May 1, 2019 to protest government cuts to public services, citing forced overtime and burnout among healthcare workers. In addition to these health care changes, Brian Pallister is attacking the structure of unions themselves. Bill 29 is a forced reorganization Continue readingNurses fight Manitoba’s health care crisis