WINNIPEG, MB. - About 100 CUPE 500 members and other union and community members attended the “Don’t Trash Us” rally on July 20 in an overwhelming show of support for the city’s solid waste workers. The rally, held at City Hall was part of CUPE 500’s campaign to fight the city’s proposal to contact out all garbage collection.
Speakers at the rally included CUPE 500 President Mike Davidson, former MLA Marianne Cerilli and Kate Sjoberg, President of the University of Winnipeg Students’ Association.
“Our members have provided this service for 100 years,” said CUPE Local 500 President Mike Davidson. “To throw them out of their jobs now would be a shame.”
One of the highlights of the event was CUPE 500 member Sallie Caufield who led the crowd in a shout: “ What do we want? Public Service! When do we want it? Now!”
The rally received media coverage from both the papers and local news television.
The same day, the city’s Executive Policy Committee voted in favour of contracting out. City council will make the final decision on July 27.
For more background, visit www.cupe.mb.ca and www.cupe500.mb.ca.