CUPE/City of Winnipeg Bargaining Update #11

Nov 25, 2025

The CUPE Local 500 Bargaining Committee met with the employer on November 12th and 13th where we continued to review and work through collective agreement language. As a reminder, monetary discussions begin after after both parties have completed negotiations on collective agreement language, articles, and letters of understanding.

Our committee will return to the table with the employer on December 2,3 and 11th with additional bargaining dates being discussed.

ESSENTIAL SERVICES AGREEMENT

The Local met with legal counsel on November 4th to discuss the terms of an ESA. We are still waiting on meeting dates from the employer.

As required under new legislation, an ESA must be negotiated before any job action can take place.

While the legislation states that both parties must discuss essential services 180 days before a collective agreement expires and must finalize an ESA 90 days prior, due to the timing of when legislation passed, we weren’t able to meet the timeline requirements, so negotiations may continue. However, no strike or lockout can occur until and ESA has either been agreed to by the parties or imposed by the Manitoba Labour Board (MLB).

Rumours

The rumour mill will be hard at work during bargaining. Please don’t believe anything you hear unless it comes from the Union. If you have a serious concern about something you’ve heard, contact us at 204-942-1001 or send us an email: union@cupe500.mb.ca.

Watch for more information

Your bargaining committee will keep you informed as progress is made. As a reminder, because of the sensitive nature of negotiations, the bargaining committee is not able to give you a step-by-step explanation of everything that is discussed during the bargaining process. However, should we reach a settlement or impasse, members will be fully informed.

Members should continue to check the bulletin boards or visit the Local 500 website for updates. Remember, if you have personal email access, you can sign up to receive email updates on the home page of the Local’s website at cupe500.mb.ca.

Thank you for your continued support and solidarity.

Negotiating Committee

The negotiating committee for CUPE Local 500 is:

Gord Delbridge President, CUPE Local 500
Andrea Sontag President, Civic Services Unit
Phil Dembicki President, Community Services Unit
Jon Shalapata President, Public Works Unit
Rachel Hildebrandt President, Water and Waste Unit
Patrick Troughton Member at Large
Kristy Halliday Member at Large
Alex McClurg CUPE National Staff Representative
Kevin Carswell CUPE National Staff Representative
Alex Hernandez CUPE National Staff Representative
Nicholas McClurg Local 500 Special Assignments Officer
Rebecca Scott Local 500 Special Assignments Officer