City Council passes 2018 Budget
December 14, 2017 at 7:07 PM
On December 12, Winnipeg City Council voted 11-5 in favour of adopting the 2018 operating and capital budget.
CUPE Local 500 President Gord Delbridge says he’s disappointed and remains concerned that the budget continues to call for millions of dollars in vacancy management and department efficiencies savings.
“Year after the year, the City has relied on vacancy management and department efficiencies to save money,” said Delbridge. “The City is basically setting up its workforce to fail by not providing adequate resources to deliver the needed programs and services Winnipeggers rely on. We’re operating with skeleton crews in almost every department and this has our members worried that important work will not get done,” added Delbridge.
The budget also contains a reduction to the city's business tax rate, a 25-cent transit fare increase, and an extra $1.50 to on-street parking.
“The bus fare increase will hurt low-income families and seniors,” said Delbridge. “It makes no sense that the City can find money to cut the business tax but can’t find money for basic transportation needs. We’re looking to the leadership on council to build our city and citizens up - not for further austerity and cuts.”
Here’s how council voted on the budget:
Voting in favour: Mayor Bowman, Councillors Gerbasi, Orlikow, Gillingham, Pagtakhan, Lukes, Mayes, Allard, Gilroy, Morantz and Sharma.
Voting Against: Councilors Browaty, Eadie, Dobson, Schreyer and Wyatt
The Local will continue to call on the City to end the vacancy management program and ensure adequate staffing levels in city services.
Please watch for further updates on this important issue.
