Tuesday, January 18, 2022
MFL News
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.
A strong MFL is more important now than ever before. Premier Brian Pallister has already passed a law that makes it more difficult to join a union; undermined the collective bargaining process; and made cuts to public services – like healthcare and education – and laid-off workers. All this despite promising to protect public services and the people who provide them. We are fighting back and you can too. Learn more about why unions matter and get involved in your union or unionize your workplace.
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The Manitoba Federation of Labour advocates for progressive laws and policies that will benefit working families in our province. That means standing up on behalf of workers to defend their rights and pushing governments to do more to support good jobs, fair treatment, and safer workplaces. READ MORE
The Manitoba Federation of Labour speaks up on the issues that matter to the members and families that belong to affiliate unions, as well as working people across the province. Stay up to date with what is happening at the MFL.
Unions make a big difference in our workplaces and in our communities, standing up for fairness and social justice. At a time when income inequality and precarious work are major concerns for many Manitoban families and young people, unions continue to fight for good jobs, fair wages, and safer workplaces. READ MORE.
As a worker in Manitoba, you have rights. These are set out in laws and collective agreements and cover a whole range of issues, from health and safety to minimum wage and vacations to workers compensation.
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