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Union Bug Blog

• Jul 25, 2017 - Fuzzy Math Drives Bill 28's Savings Assumptions
  

  In March of 2017, the Premier claimed that for every one per cent the province lowered (or didn’t raise) wages for 120,000 provincial public sector workers, it would save $100 million. This simple calculation provides grist for Bill 28, The Public Services Sustainability Act which mandates all those who employ provincial public sector workers to hold future increases to zero per cent for the first two years of a new contract, no more than 0.75 per cent for the third year, and no more than 1.0 per cent for the fourth.

• Jul 14, 2017 - Social Impact Bonds: Putting Profit before People
  

  Today, Manitobans access their social and public health services (think mental health and disability supports) and social services (think homeless or domestic abuse shelters; child welfare agencies) through: a) professionals and care providers who work directly for government, and b) professionals and care providers who work for non-profit community agencies.

• Jun 23, 2017 - Short-Staffing and Privatization Threat are Putting Air Ambulance Patients at Risk
  

  The Government of Manitoba recently grounded its Southern Air Ambulance transport program due to a lack of available pilots. However, a closer look reveals that the problem isn’t quite as simple as the government would have you believe.

• Jun 16, 2017 - Public Services Week a Time to Celebrate and Reflect on What’s Important to Manitobans
  

  As Public Services Week comes to a close, I’ve been reflecting on a very busy and enjoyable week touring MGEU workplaces and visiting with members at our lunch events across Manitoba.

• May 31, 2017 - Paramedic Self-Regulation is Finally Coming
  

  May 28 - June 3 is National Paramedic Services Week. It’s a time for us to thank paramedics and recognize them for their contributions to our public health services. It’s also time for us to note some significant changes coming to the profession, as self-regulation for Manitoba paramedics takes a step closer to becoming reality.

• May 26, 2017 - What Some People Don’t Want You to Know About Minimum Wage
  

  The Manitoba Government is racing ahead with changes to minimum wage that will lock full-time minimum wage earners in to a poverty wage. Bill 33, The Minimum Wage Indexation Act will tie minimum wage increases to the cost of living.

• May 19, 2017 - HEBP Disability and Rehabilitation - Are You Covered?
  

  Almost four million adult Canadians (roughly 14% of the adult population) report being limited in their daily activities due to a disability*. With disability claims on the rise in our country, that means having good long-term disability coverage at work is more important than ever.

• May 12, 2017 - P3 Pitfalls Aren’t Hard to Find ― So What’s Their Appeal?
  

  If you don’t know what a P3 is yet, or why they’re proving to be such a bad idea, now’s the time to acquaint yourself. The Provincial government recently announced that they’ll be exploring ways to partner with private companies to design, build, finance and maintain three new schools in Winnipeg and one in Brandon.

• May 05, 2017 - Buying Your Approval
  

  Billboards, social media, news sites - the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority (WRHA) and the Manitoba Government really want you to buy into their new plan for health care. Since announcing an overhaul of medical services in Winnipeg on April 7, the government and WRHA have launched a series of taxpayer funded ads promoting their new vision titled, “Healing our Health System.”

• Apr 06, 2017 - Funding Non-profit Organizations Gives Good Value for Money
  

  Several small non-profit organizations (NPOs) are nervously awaiting Manitoba’s 2017 budget. Funding sources they’ve come to rely on have been ‘on pause’ for months and its beginning to affect the services they provide.