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BEAUSJOUR, MB Bus drivers for the Sunrise School Division have chosen the Canadian Union of Public Employees to represent them. The Manitoba Labour Board conducted a representation vote this week to determine which union would represent bus drivers. Amalgamation of the school divisions by the province in 2002 led to a situation where two unions represented support staff in the new division. CUPE has been representing drivers in the former Agassiz School Division, while the United Food and Commercial Workers Union represented bus drivers in the former Transcona-Springfield School Division. CUPE also represents the educational assistants and clerical staff in the Division.

We had excellent discussions over the last week about what a union does for us and which of the two unions could meet our needs, said CUPE Local 1618 President Jackie Hampshire. We may have had different experiences but we all have the same work and similar needs for a union.

Im pleased we are going to stay part of the CUPE family the union has been good for us and Im sure it will continue to serve us, she added. We want to welcome our new members and assure them they will get the same benefits from CUPE membership as all the other members, said Ms Hampshire.

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The Canadian Union of Public Employees is Canadas largest union representing more than a half-million women and men. In Manitoba, CUPE represents 24,000 members working in health care facilities, school divisions, municipal services, social services, child care centres, public utilities, libraries and family emergency services. About 4,000 of these members work in 25 of Manitobas school divisions.

For information, contact:
Lorraine Sigurdson, CUPE Education Rep. (204) 942-0343
Stephen Edwards, CUPE Education Rep. (204) 942-0343
Dennis Lewycky, CUPE Communications Rep. (204) 223-6805