CUPE, OEM, UFCW, MAHCP prepare for court dates now set by Court of Queens Bench
September 18, 2018 at 8:29 PM
The legal challenge to the Pallister government’s wage freeze legislation (Bill 28: The Public Service Sustainability Act) has taken a significant step forward with the setting of court dates with the Court of Queen’s Bench.
The Unions of the Partnership to Defend Public Services (PDPS) are preparing to combat the legislation imposed on public sector workers by the Pallister government.
The first court date is set for November 18, 2019.
“We are united with the Partnership to Defend Public Services.” said Gord Delbridge, President of CUPE Manitoba. “CUPE members stand with our partners to fight this government’s unlawful actions.”
“Between chaotic changes to the healthcare system, and the government’s refusal to bargain, healthcare workers are deeply frustrated,” said Bob Moroz, President of Manitoba Association of Health Care Professionals (MAHCP). “We hope this government changes course soon and decides to work with, not against, health care workers.”
“The Pallister government’s plan to skip bargaining and impose a wage freeze has taken another step towards being defeated” said Marc Lafond, Business Manager of the Operating Engineers of Manitoba (OEM), Local 987. “Our partnership is strong, and we are united against this attack on health care workers.”
“We are proud to stand with our members and all public employees in this legal challenge against this government’s unconstitutional infringement of collective bargaining on behalf of our members.” said Jeff Traeger, President of the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW), Local 832. “The members of our partner Unions know we are taking the strongest path together to get the fair raises they deserve.”
“As Unions have always done, we will continue to stand up for workers, and for fair treatment and fair compensation for the hard work that they do.” Said Kevin Rebeck, President of the Manitoba Federation of Labour (MFL). “We will be there to push back against the Pallister government’s plans to cut services and hurt working families in our province.”
Backgrounder
Bill 28 was passed June 1, 2017.
Bill 28 is meant to take the place of bargaining, imposes a two-year wage freeze, followed by a 0.75 and 1 percent wage increase, imposed without consultation and even more importantly, without bargaining.
The PDPS represents over 110,000 workers in Manitoba.
SOURCE: CUPE.MB.CA
