President’s Report November 2025
Nov 25, 2025
BARGAINING UPDATE- CITY OF WINNIPEG
The CUPE Local 500 Bargaining Committee met with the employer on November 12th and 13th. Both sides continued to review and work through collective agreement language. As a reminder, monetary discussions begin only after both parties have completed negotiations on collective agreement language, articles, and letters of understanding.
Our committee will return to the table with the employer on December 2nd, 3rd, and 11th, with additional bargaining dates currently being discussed.
ESSENTIAL SERVICES AGREEMENT
We met with legal council on November 4th to discuss the terms of an ESA. We are still waiting on meeting dates from the employer.
As required under new legislation, an ESA must be negotiated before any job action can take place.
While the legislation states that parties must discuss essential services 180 days before a collective agreement expires and must finalize an ESA 90 days prior, due to the timing of when legislation passed, we weren’t able to meet the timeline requirements. Therefore, negotiations will continue. However, no strike action or lockout can occur until an ESA has been either agreed to by the parties or imposed by the Manitoba Labour Board (MLB).
CITY OF WINNIPEG BUDGET
On November 14th, the City released its 2026 budget update. We are encouraged to see increased FTEs in Water and Waste, Community Safety Officers, Libraries, and the Community Action Team, along with no increase to vacancy management.
We have consistently called on the City to prioritize investments in the North End Water Pollution Control Centre (NEWPCC), and this budget delivers on that commitment.
Compared to budgets under previous administrations, this update contains no cuts. From swimming lessons, to libraries, to the Winnipeg tree canopy, this budget protects frontline services and makes meaningful investments in the programs and services Winnipeg families rely on every day.
NDP CONVENTION
The NDP convention was held in Brandon from November 7th – 9th.
There much discussion and debate from the floor on many resolutions.
As a long-time labour delegate and Local President, I maintain relationships with the NDP and elected officials because the party was built by labour and our voice belongs at the table. Attending the convention was an opportunity to reconnect with colleagues and advocate for workers. My involvement isn’t about partisanship — it’s about ensuring working people are heard and respected in the decisions that impact them.
THRONE SPEECH
I attended the throne speech at the legislature on November 19th and I’m pleased to see the provincial government working with the City of Winnipeg to move key infrastructure projects forward. This partnership is important for keeping our city on the right track, especially when it comes to affordability and public safety.
We’re also encouraged to see the Manitoba government moving toward eliminating sick notes for absences under seven days — something CUPE has long advocated for and was originally a bill brought forward by former Local 500 member and MLA Dave Gaudreau in 2016. This will reduce the unnecessary strain on both workers and our health care system.
There’s still more work to do, but the speech shows that this government is listening to workers and investing in strong public services.
GOOD OF THE UNION: Dates to remember:
December 1– World Aids Day
December 3– International Day of Persons with Disabilities
December 6– National Day of Remembrance & Action on Violence Against Women
December 24– Christmas Eve
December 25– Christmas Day
December 26– Boxing Day
* The office will be closed from December 24th and reopen on January 2nd.
CONCLUSION:
Please share this document with your co-workers.
In solidarity,
Gord Delbridge, President