WINNIPEG One hundred and fifty Executive members of the Union representing 10,000 Health Care Support Workers voted unanimously today to reject the Employers wage offer and to have Union members conduct a strike vote.
Contract negotiations between the Manitoba Government and CUPE Health Care Support Workers broke down Friday over the critical issue of wages and benefits.
Information meetings will now be held in 80 facilities across Manitoba.
On July 3rd, CUPE Health Care Support Union Members will vote on whether to go on strike to get a better Collective Agreement.
Our goal is a better Collective Agreement - it is not to go on strike. But we will if it is necessary to get a fair deal, said Marlene Tartsch, Chair of the Provincial Health Care Council which met today.
The members are saying their wage demand is a fair one and that they are serious about taking any measures needed to get what they deserve. We have been getting far less than other Health Workers and its now only fair that we get a wage increase that brings us into line, she said.
CUPE, the Canadian Union of Public Employees, represents Health Care Support Workers in hospitals, clinics and long term care facilities around the Province including Regional Health Authorities covering Central Manitoba, Interlake, Parkland, Southwestman, Marquette and Brandon. In Winnipeg, facilities include the Health Sciences Centre, Grace, Seven Oaks and Concordia Hospitals, CancerCare Manitoba, Riverview Health Centre, Community Health Clinics and Personal Care Homes.
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For information, contact:
Marlene Tartsch - 942-0343 ext. 287, cell 204 794-6817
Lorraine Sigurdson - 942-0343 ext. 214, cell 204 981-6499
Nancy Garrioch - (204) 729-5790 (for Brandon)