Winnipeg - Eight workers, members of CUPE Local 2874, at the Deaf Centre of Manitoba finally got a raise Tuesday when their new contract went into effect raising starting pay rates $4.26 an hour.
“These workers were severely underpaid. Some had never had a wage increase since they started working at the Deaf Centre,” CUPE staff representative Denise Harder said. “It was long overdue.”
Starting rates for the CUPE members, who work as laundry and housekeeping employees, jumped Tuesday from $7.00 an hour to $11.26 - an increase of $4.26.
In addition to the much-deserved wage increases, Harder said the employees’ benefits have also been brought up to the provincial standard.
The contract, which went into effect November 28th runs until April 30, 2002.
The Canadian Union of Public Employees is Canada’s largest union representing more than 485,000 women and men across the country. In Manitoba, CUPE represents 23,000 members in health care, education, municipalities, social services, utilities, libraries and emergency services.
- 30 -
For more information, please contact: Denise Harder, CUPE Staff Representative
Phone: (204) 942-0343 ext. 206
DH/ac/opeiu491
Nov.30/00