Media Release: St. Boniface Museum Faces Funding Crisis
June 07, 2007 at 2:40 AM
WINNIPEG – Staff at the St. Boniface Museum could be on strike next week if the City of Winnipeg does not intervene with more funding.
According to Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) Local 500 that represents the workers, it is inadequate city funding that is holding up negotiations for a new collective agreement and jeopardizing the sustainability of the museum.
“We know the Board members of the Museum want to bring negotiations to an end, but they don’t get the funding needed to adequately run the museum. And this puts the whole facility at risk, one that is historically important for all of Winnipeg, not just St. Boniface,” according to Gary Swanson, Local 500 President.
The 17 workers are in a strike position now, as bargaining has not led to an agreement on wages. They will be picketing the museum next week if the City does not respond to requests from the Board to increase funding.
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The Canadian Union of Public Employees is Canada’s largest union representing more than a half-million women and men. In Manitoba, CUPE represents 24,000 members working in health care facilities, school divisions, municipal services, social services, child care centres, public utilities, libraries and family emergency services.
For information, contact: Gary Swanson, CUPE Local 500 President at 942-1001
Karen Byzuk, CUPE Local 500 Communications at 782-9444
Dennis Lewycky, CUPE Communications at 942-0343 / Cell. 333-5065
DL:cbc/cope 491
