Winnipeg – On July 22, Siloam Mission Tweeted a request for water bottles, among other much-needed items to help Winnipeg’s homeless community beat the heat.
CUPE 500 responded immediately by delivering 200 reusable water bottles to the mission.
“Water is a basic right that everybody should have access to” said Mike Davidson, President of CUPE 500. “As the workers who deliver Winnipeg’s public water, we are committed to helping every community gain access to this invaluable public resource”.
On Tuesday, July 21, 2015 CUPE 500 and CUPE Manitoba sent letters to Chief Erwin Redsky and the federal Minister of Aboriginal Affairs in support of an all-weather access road “Freedom Road” to Shoal Lake #40 First Nation which has been under a boil water advisory for 17 years.
@SiloamMission We’re on our way with 200 water bottles! @globalnews @Mayor_Bowman @VirginRadioWPG pic.twitter.com/xjCW8O3alb
— CUPE Local 500 (@cupe500) July 22, 2015
Thank you to everyone at CUPE Local 500 for seeing our need and help fill it!! #amazing #Winnipeg https://t.co/DcT3TNdDw6
— Siloam Mission (@SiloamMission) July 22, 2015
“The fight for right to public water comes in many shapes and forms” said Davidson. “From water infrastructure in Aboriginal and northern communities, to pushing back against privatization, to ensuring everyone in our community has access to clean water”.
CUPE 500 has an ongoing campaign against the privatization of water, both in Winnipeg and around the world.
“We know how important clean, public drinking water is to the community” said Davidson. “By answering Siloam Mission’s call for reusable water bottles we hope that the mission’s users have one less thing to worry about”.
Siloam Mission also needs donations of backpacks, underwear (men’s & women’s) and deodorant. Donations can be delivered to 300 Princess Street in Winnipeg, or by calling (204) 956-4344.
CUPE 500 represents approximately 4,700 municipal workers in the City of Winnipeg.
@SiloamMission Delivered! Thank you (& your volunteers & staff) for everything you do for the #Winnipeg community. pic.twitter.com/QODZcsDSLV
— CUPE Local 500 (@cupe500) July 22, 2015