Public Services Week a Time to Celebrate and Reflect on What’s Important to Manitobans
Jun 16, 2017
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.
In just over a week I visited Thompson, Winnipeg, The Pas, Dauphin, Swan River, Brandon, Souris, and Portage la Prairie. Early next week I’ll be in Selkirk, Steinbach and St. Anne to round out the final stage of the tour.
Along the way, I’ve visited with members in many workplaces, including hospitals, personal care homes and in provincial buildings. I’ve also stopped in at Manitoba Public Insurance locations, Liquor Marts, the Addictions Foundation of Manitoba, Government Air Services, and Allied Wings.
A common theme I encountered wherever I went across this very large province was that our members are worried about the services they provide. They talked about continuing to do more with less, as they see the effect that cuts have on services.
I listened to the members who
work in Government Air Services in Thompson. They are worried because they are
facing the very real possibility that the services they provide are going to be
privatized. I heard similar concern from our Home Care members across the
province, who are now wondering what will happen when the provincial government
introduces new private home care services. And many members told me they are worried that the Pallister Government's legislation to control public sector wages will erode their rights to bargain collectively.
However, despite all of the
recent doom and gloom, what really stays with me and fills me with hope after
this Public Services Week are the hundreds of dedicated professionals that I
met who provide the services Manitobans rely on every day. No matter what
decisions are made at the Legislature, they continue to work to the best of
their abilities, on the frontlines and behind the scenes, to keep our province
running around the clock.
These members are proud of the work they do, and I’ve never been more proud to represent them as MGEU President. Happy Public Services Week to all!
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