CUPE is meeting with council committees on budget
March 07, 2012 at 8:18 PM
CUPE Local 500 President Mike Davidson along with staff, are meeting with three standing policy committees of council regarding the 2012 operating budget. On March 5, Davidson presented at the Standing Policy Committee on Infrastructure Renewal and Public Works where he outlined a number of concerns regarding the city's physical infrastructure and the seriousness of the $13 million dollar vacancy management reduction.
"It is inconceivable to think that the workforce can continue to absorb these levels of cutbacks while still maintaining service levels to the public," said Davidson. "We believe that Vacancy Management is a non-transparent erosion of the City's front line-services and ultimately, will impair the City's ability to deliver needed programs."
In his closing remarks, Davidson urged the committee to review the budget from the point of view of maintaining our infrastructure and stabilizing our ability to deliver needed public services.
"In our view, we feel that the citizens of Winnipeg have come to expect that their streets and sidewalks will be maintained and in good condition. That pools and arenas will be maintained and that City parks will be litter free and the grass cut and trimmed. As it stands now, many of these core services are under resourced and in need of increased investment."
The Union will also be presenting at the Standing Policy Committee on Protection and Community Services on March 9 and the City's Executive Policy Committee on March 13.
Copies of the presentations will be posted on the Local 500 website or you can contact the office at 942-1001 to have copies mailed out.
