Manitoba’s largest union is encouraged by the NDP government’s blueprint for the coming year.
CUPE Manitoba applauds the government’s goal to create 3,500 more childcare spaces.
“Manitoba continues to face a childcare crisis, with far too many parents struggling to find quality care in their own communities,” says Gina McKay, President of CUPE Manitoba. “While there have been major improvements to the cost of childcare, there are simply not enough spaces, and we are pleased the government is moving forward on building more.”
McKay adds that as the new childcare spaces are rolled out, there needs to be strong recruitment and retention efforts to ensure work in childcare is an attractive career option. “You can build childcare spaces, and make them affordable, but you’ll need staff who see this work as a lifelong career.”
CUPE Manitoba applauds the government’s goal to and enhancing workplace health and safety legislation.
“This is a government that is keeping its promises to working Manitobans,” says McKay. “Every worker has the right to come home safe from work, and it’s good to have a government that is taking action to make that a reality.”
McKay noted that the promise to keep schools owned locally was a welcome change. “The previous government tried rushing through a privatization scheme in our schools. This government’s commitment to keep our schools publicly owned and operated is a breath of relief for parents and education staff alike.”
McKay noted that this progress builds on a successful first year in office. “The Manitoba government has already made significant improvements for workers across the province,” says McKay. “With groundbreaking anti-scab legislation and making it easier to join a union, this government’s promises to workers are being delivered.”
The government has also made real progress on health care and education, with more work to be done. “The government has made good on major commitments, including supporting front-line health care support workers with a historic new contract, stopping the previous government’s dangerous Private Public Partnerships in schools, and rebuilding our public services.”