On July 22, Siloam Mission 
Tweeted a request for water bottles, among other much-needed items to help Winnipeg’s homeless community beat the heat.
CUPE Local 500 responded immediately by delivering 200 reusable water bottles to the mission.
“Water is a basic right that everybody should have access to,” said Mike Davidson, President of CUPE Local 500. “As the workers who deliver Winnipeg’s public water, we are committed to helping every community gain access to this invaluable public resource.”
On Tuesday, July 21, CUPE Local 500 and CUPE Manitoba sent letters to Chief Erwin Redsky and the federal Minister of Aboriginal Affairs in support of an all-weather access road to Shoal Lake #40 First Nation, which has been under a boil water advisory for 17 years.
“The fight for the right to public water comes in many shapes and forms,” said Davidson. “From water infrastructure in Aboriginal and northern communities, to pushing back against privatization, to ensuring everyone in our community has access to clean water.”
CUPE Local 500 has an ongoing campaign against the privatization of water, both in Winnipeg and around the world.
“We know how important clean, public drinking water is to the community,” said Davidson. “By answering Siloam Mission’s call for reusable water bottles, we hope that the mission’s users will have one less thing to worry about.”
Siloam Mission also needs donations of backpacks, underwear (men’s & women’s) and deodorant. Donations can be delivered to 300 Princess Street in Winnipeg, or by calling (204) 956-4344.
