Manitoba Federation of Labour

Winnipeg water and waste director Moira Geer has warned if the province’s model is approved, it would essentially privatize all the city’s highly integrated sewage treatment system. Union leaders lashed out against the push to explore privatization, arguing it would threaten the safety of sewage treatment. "Profit becomes No. 1, and delivery of that service is secondary," said Kevin Rebeck, president of the Manitoba Federation of Labour. "We can’t afford that when it comes to... our (sewage) treatment." https://www.winnipegfreepress.com//city-seeks-compromise-o

The Pallister government wants to make big changes to Manitoba's labour laws that will tip the scales against workers and their unions. One of the biggest changes will be the elimination of our made-in-Manitoba solution to endless strikes and lockouts, known as binding arbitration or alternative dispute resolution (ADR). Our binding arbitration rules have ensured that Manitobans have seen fewer days lost to strikes and lockouts than any other province. Join the MFL on Wednesd...ay June 23 for a webinar to learn more about why these rules are good for workers and the economy, how they help to ensure fair contracts, and learn first-hand from workers about their experience with binding arbitration. The webinar will feature MFL President Kevin Rebeck, UFCW 832 President Jeff Traeger and workers with recent experience with the binding arbitration process. We ask that you register in advance here: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_2G0VQvP0SFyAYwgUdm3qpQ #StopBill16

Kevin Rebeck, president of the Manitoba Federation of Labour, said he's excited to have the teachers join his organization. They'll bring the federation's membership from just over 100,000 to 120,000 people, he said. This shows significant growth of union members, of workers democratically saying, 'We think our voice is stronger together when we can unite,'" Rebeck said.... "There are a lot of games being played by this government and I think unions want to hold them to account and show Manitoba what this government is doing and how they are attacking working families." That includes working together to lobby against legislation various labour groups have taken issue with, such as one that proposes a massive overhaul of the education system and another that would attempt to make it easier for employers to fire striking workers, Rebeck said. https://www.cbc.ca//manitoba-teachers-society-manitoba-fed

Welcome The Manitoba Teachers' Society to the MFL! We have always had a close partnership, and this decision formalizes that. Our federation and our labour movement are stronger as a result.

There’s hard and fast rules around no shoes and no shirts but when people walk in without a mask, they’re free to shop and add risk to our members work day, say Jeff Traeger, UFCW Local 832 president. It’s time for retail employers to step up and create strict rules around mask use.

"Labour leaders have called on Fielding to enact mandatory paid sick leave for infected workers. The province has so far offered a voluntary program in which employers can get up to $600 per worker for days off due to self-isolation or illness. Fielding said employers seem very willing to offer the leave, but did not directly answer when asked repeatedly what was stopping the government from making it mandatory." https://www.chrisd.ca//manitoba-covid-19-vaccine-18-age-e/

Kevin Rebeck, president of the Manitoba Federation of Labour, said construction zone safety does appear to be an ongoing concern for union members. "I know anecdotally that our drive safe committee, and others, hear from workers that do talk about people not slowing down when they enter these zones, and I think some of that is (due to) people not being clear when it’s an active work site Something visceral, like rumble strips, would be a pretty hard thing to not notice," said Rebeck. https://www.winnipegfreepress.com//city-eyes-setting-addit

The announcement, however, includes no mention of a requirement employers use the savings to keep workers on the payroll, said Manitoba Federation of Labour president Kevin Rebeck. "Pensions are deferred wages that are owed to workers when they retire, and essentially (the province) has unilaterally decided that workers should loan these deferred wages to employers without ever asking workers first," he said. "While we recognize COVID-19 has had a ravaging effect on our economy, there’s nothing in the province’s (announcement) that assures me that employers will be required to put this money where it will keep employees working. https://www.winnipegfreepress.com//provinces-pension-plan-

Kevin Rebeck, president of the Manitoba Federation of Labour, said the government is taking the deferred wages of employees and giving them back to employers. "While we all recognize that COVID has ravaged our economy, there's nothing in this proposal that reassures me that employers will be required to put this money toward keeping people working." Rebeck said the government should impose parameters to ensure the money is spent keeping people employed.... https://www.cbc.ca//manitoba-waiving-pension-payments-busi

Today is Human Rights Day - a day officially recognized by the United Nations to raise awareness and celebrate the inalienable rights entitled to all human beings throughout the world. It is also a day to recognize that human rights remain unfulfilled for far too many of our Brothers, Sisters, and Friends. As labour activists, we understand that labour rights and human rights are inextricably linked, and that human rights work is integral to the work we do. ... And so, on this Human Rights Day the Manitoba labour movement renews its commitment to defending, promoting and expanding labour and human rights, including fighting for: economic security, including good, family-supporting jobs for all people who able to work; the right to organize, and the right to free and fair collective bargaining, free from interference; safe and healthy workplaces, homes and communities, free of threats and hazards to our physical and mental health; free, accessible and quality public services for all, including health care, education, social services, clean water, infrastructure and more; an end to all forms of harassment, discrimination, oppression and violence, including racism, sexism, homophobia and transphobia; an end to barriers for persons with disabilities and provision of full socio-economic inclusion; a clean and healthy environment for today and tomorrow; inclusion, equity and respect for diversity; and the right for all people to be informed and meaningfully participate in elections and our democratic institutions. Fighting for human rights is not something we do in addition to our work as union activists. It must be core to every part of our work each and every day, because fighting for human rights is fundamental to solidarity. - Kevin Rebeck, President of the Manitoba Federation of Labour Stay tuned for the release of a new Human Rights Days of Action Calendar later this month, a joint project of the MFL Human Rights & Equality Committee and the United Way of Winnipeg / Winnipeg Labour Council

Today is the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women. This year, the MFL Women's Committee hosted a Virtual Memorial to honour the 14 women who were murdered by misogyny in Montreal 31 years ago, and the 13 women and girls who were killed violently in Manitoba over the last year. Thank you to this year's guest speaker Sherri Rollins, Winnipeg City Councillor for Fort Rouge-East Fort Garry. You can watch the Virtual Memorial at ... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZpTvoxMgYgo&t=4s If you would like to support a Manitoba women's shelter by purchasing a MFL Women Committee National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women t-shirt, there are still some left. They are $30, tax included. Just email [email protected] for details. As union activists, we recommit to ending violence against women and girls. Today, and every day.