Winnipeg CUPE members who work in 72 public and private long-term care facilities across the province have a Christmas present to deliver to Manitobas Health Minister tomorrow at 12:00 noon on the steps of the Manitoba Legislature.
The union members will deliver a home-made Christmas tree and hundreds of greeting cards signed by Manitobans who support the Unions 9-point plan a call for positive action by the government to address the problems in our provinces nursing homes and long-term care facilities. Health Minister David Chomiak, who has been supportive of CUPEs For the Love of it report, is expected to be on hand to receive the Christmas greetings at the noon-hour demonstration.
This is Manitobans Christmas wish list for long-term care, President of CUPEs Health Care Council Marlene Tartsch said. We want the Health Minister to see the growing community support for CUPEs 9-point plan and our proposed solutions.
People across the province have signed cards asking the Minister to give our seniors in long-term care a real Christmas present and to act now on CUPEs call for positive changes, said Lila Magee, Chair of CUPEs Private Nursing Home Council.
Last April in Brandon, CUPE released For the Love of it based on members experiences in nursing homes and long-term care facilities throughout the province. The report, which was presented to the Health Minister in June, paints a frightening portrait of decreasing resident care levels and staff burnout. Copies are available on the CUPE Manitoba web site: cupe.mb.ca or from the Winnipeg office.
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 13TH
12:00 NOON MANITOBA LEGISLATURE
INSIDE BY MAIN GRAND STAIR CASE
CUPE PRESENTATION TO
HEALTH MINISTER DAVID CHOMIAK
In Manitoba, CUPE represents 23,000 members in health care, education, municipalities, social services, utilities, libraries and emergency services.
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For more information, please contact:
Marlene Tartsch, Chair CUPE Provincial Health Care Council
Cell phone: (204) 794-6817
Lila Magee, Chair CUPE Private Nursing Home Council
Cell phone: (204) 725-2833