WINNIPEG – A majority of the CUPE health care support workers negotiating a new contract have accepted the tentative agreement presented to them.
About 5,000 members in 13 health facilities in Winnipeg and one in Gimli were affected by the vote on a wage settlement that had been reached through mediation earlier in the week.
Members at the Regional Distribution Facility and Middlechurch Home rejected the offer.
Bargaining units that now have a new contract are at the Health Sciences Centre; Grace, Seven Oaks and Concordia Hospitals; CancerCare Manitoba; Riverview Health Centre; Rehab Centre for Children; and Bethania, Golden West, Pembina Place, Luther Home, and Betel (Gimli) long term care facilities.
“I don’t think anyone felt we had a great offer, but they accepted it because they want to work and they didn’t think the government would increase the offer,” said Lorraine Sigurdson, CUPE Health Care Coordinator.
“The members were frustrated and tired. They still don’t feel the government recognizes their contribution to the health care system in Manitoba. They accepted the offer because they just didn’t think a strike would get them any more,” she said.
Overall, 63% of the members who voted today accepted the offer.
CUPE, the Canadian Union of Public Employees, represents health care support workers in the 14 bargaining units involved in negotiations since August 15th – Health Sciences Centre; Grace, Seven Oaks and Concordia Hospitals; CancerCare Manitoba; the Regional Distribution Facility; Riverview Health Centre; Rehab Centre for Children; and Bethania, Golden West, Pembina Place, Luther Home, Middlechurch and Betel (Gimli) long term care facilities.
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For more information, contact:
Lorraine Sigurdson, CUPE Health Care Coordinator
Phone: 942-0343, ext. 214
Dennis Lewycky, Research/Communications Representative
Phone: 942-0343, ext. 298
About 5,000 members in 13 health facilities in Winnipeg and one in Gimli were affected by the vote on a wage settlement that had been reached through mediation earlier in the week.
Members at the Regional Distribution Facility and Middlechurch Home rejected the offer.
Bargaining units that now have a new contract are at the Health Sciences Centre; Grace, Seven Oaks and Concordia Hospitals; CancerCare Manitoba; Riverview Health Centre; Rehab Centre for Children; and Bethania, Golden West, Pembina Place, Luther Home, and Betel (Gimli) long term care facilities.
“I don’t think anyone felt we had a great offer, but they accepted it because they want to work and they didn’t think the government would increase the offer,” said Lorraine Sigurdson, CUPE Health Care Coordinator.
“The members were frustrated and tired. They still don’t feel the government recognizes their contribution to the health care system in Manitoba. They accepted the offer because they just didn’t think a strike would get them any more,” she said.
Overall, 63% of the members who voted today accepted the offer.
CUPE, the Canadian Union of Public Employees, represents health care support workers in the 14 bargaining units involved in negotiations since August 15th – Health Sciences Centre; Grace, Seven Oaks and Concordia Hospitals; CancerCare Manitoba; the Regional Distribution Facility; Riverview Health Centre; Rehab Centre for Children; and Bethania, Golden West, Pembina Place, Luther Home, Middlechurch and Betel (Gimli) long term care facilities.
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For more information, contact:
Lorraine Sigurdson, CUPE Health Care Coordinator
Phone: 942-0343, ext. 214
Dennis Lewycky, Research/Communications Representative
Phone: 942-0343, ext. 298