October 4th, 2024
CUPE Community Support is going on Strike: CUPE Local 4270 is in a strike position: members in Community Support voted to reject the tentative agreement and gave the Bargaining Committee the mandate to authorize strike action. Members are encouraged to put their names forward to be a picket captain by visiting this link: https://cupe.mb.ca/members/picketcaptains
Am I Community or Facility? The following classifications fall under the COMMUNITY BARGAINING UNIT: those who have a * beside the classification are deemed essential and will have essential shifts as well as picketing on time off. Those who don’t have the * are deemed non-essential and should be picketing Mon-Fri for strike pay.
| * | Audiometrist |
| Activity Instructor 2 | |
| * | Activity Worker Certified |
| * | Activity/recreation Aide Certified |
| * | Activity/recreation coordinator |
| * | Activity/Recreation Supervisor |
| * | Activity/recreation Worker certified |
| Adult Day Program Worker | |
| Adult day Program worker uncertified | |
| Community Health Worker | |
| Community Health Worker – Healthy Baby. | |
| * | Health Care Aide certified |
| * | Health Care Aide uncertified |
| Health Corner Worker | |
| * | Home Care attendant 1 – uncertified |
| * | Home Care attendant 2 – certified |
| Home visitor 1 | |
| Home visitor 2 | |
| Indigenous Support Worker | |
| Mental Health Proctor 2 | |
| Mental Health Proctor 3 | |
| P.C.A trained | |
| Palliative care Volunteer Coordinator | |
| * | Porter |
| * | Recreation coordinator |
| * | Rehab Aide |
| * | Resident Aide |
| Senior Activity Worker | |
| Unit Assistant |
What do Essential Services Agreements (ESAs) mean? By provincial law, ESAs must be in place in the health sector before a strike. ESAs outline which positions must continue to be filled during a strike to ensure a baseline of care and medical services. ESAs are negotiated between the Union and Employer for each unit. Most members will work fewer shifts than their EFT and be able to do strike duties and receive strike pay. Depending on the classification, some members will have no shifts and be fully on strike. Most members will still have to work some shifts per ESA baselines.
When will I know if my job is considered Essential? There are several ESAs, one for each unit covered by Local 4270. Each unit will have a unique ESA, however they all have to line-up with the Essential Services Agreement and the Essential Services Act. Each agreement will reflect the specifics of the unit.
When will I know my Essential Services schedule if we are on strike? It has been announced that the Union has given the Employer strike notice, the Employer is obligated to provide ESA schedules 72 hours prior to the actual strike. If you are not scheduled to work you are expected to be on the picket line to show support that we are needed, and deserve more pay.
Will I maintain my normal rotation during a strike? ESA shifts will be distributed as equally as possible, your usual rotation would not apply during a strike. You may be scheduled to work more shifts or less than your reg eft. The Facil
What is an Essential Service? Essential Services are defined by the Essential Services Act (https://web2.gov.mb.ca/laws/statutes/ccsm/e146.php) and include “a service, duty or function that is necessary to enable an employer to prevent or limit:
(a) loss of life;
(b) serious harm or damage to, or deterioration of, the mental or physical health of one or more persons; or
(c) serious harm or damage to, or deterioration of, property required in the performance of an Essential Service.”
What job duties are considered Essential; Your Site/Area VP has this information to share with you.
How will I know what I am supposed to do if I work an Essential Services shift? During a strike, you would be expected to report to work when scheduled and provide the minimum essential work function that was negotiated as part of the ESA. When you report to work your manager will share what those duties are, specific to your job. If you feel you are being asked to do more than essential work, we ask that you report that to the Strike Captains. There may be times when we need to readjust the ESA.
Do I still need to sign-up for picket duties if I my job is considered Essential? Yes, in order to receive strike pay you would need do picket duties. Picket duties, for most striking workers (essential or not) will look like walking a picket line at a Healthcare site. It is each member’s responsibility to get to the picket lines. These are not scheduled by the union.
Where will I be picketing if there is a strike? In a strike, there will be a limited number of picket locations with a focus on larger sites with more public visibility.
Local 4270 has decided to have 3 main picket lines for more effective picketing. These locations are the following:
-Boundary Trails Health Centre
-Portage La Prairie Hosp, Douglas Campbell Lodge, and Lions Prairie Manor (all the same area)
-Steinbach Hospital and Bethesda Place (all same area)
You can choose to picket at a location near your worksite. Our shifts are from 0800-1200, and 1200-1600.
What if I must work an Essential Service shift? Essential Services shifts will be shared amongst members qualified to work in that area. If you do work a shift, you will get paid as you normally would from the Employer. You may also be scheduled to be on standby in the event of a sick call or emergency on your unit or department. If you are deemed standby, you must bring your work attire with you to the picket line in case you get called into work. Standby schedules will be released at the same time as the Essential Services schedule.
What if I am sick for an Essential Services shift? If you are sick and cannot work an Essential Services shift that was assigned, you would be required to call-in sick as you normally would but will not be paid sick time, even if you have sick time in your bank. A member who is on standby would then be called in to work.
What are the consequences of not participating in strike activity (picket duties)? We are only as strong as our solidarity as union members. Our strength is in numbers. ESAs have already reduced the size of our picket lines. The picket line is how we show our solidarity and our commitment to being treated with respect and getting what we deserve. Picket duties are how we strike to win. Members must do picket duty to receive strike pay.
If I am Casual, will I be included in Essential Services shifts? No, casuals will not be included in the Essential Services rotation but may be scheduled to be on standby. Casuals will be allowed to do picket duties of up to 20 hours per week.
How does strike pay work? Strike pay starts on the first day of a strike.
For a minimum of 20 hours of picketing or completing other approved duties, strike pay will now be paid at the following amounts:
- For weeks 1-5, maximum strike pay is increased to $350 (from $300).
- Starting with the 6th week of the strike, strike pay is increased to $375 per week (from $350). This increase takes effect two weeks earlier (previously taking place in the 8th week of the strike).
- Starting with the 12th week of the strike, strike pay is increased to $400 per week (from $375).
- Starting with the 16th week of the strike, strike pay is increased to $450 per week (from $400).
Your weekly strike pay will be prorated if you do less than 20 hours of picket duty. There is no additional pay for doing more than 20 hours/week of strike duties. Strike pay is the same for everyone regardless of their wage. Strike pay is not taxed.
What do I have to do to get strike pay? You need to perform picket duties. For most people, this means you must walk a picket line at a designated picket location in 4-hour shifts. If you are not physically able to walk a picket line, there are other duties that can be done.
4270 is having you as the member choose from the 3 sites of which is closest to you. Once you start at a picket line you must remain at the same picket line. Your paper cheque will also be delivered to the same picket line.
What about my benefits? CUPE pays for the premiums of your group life and extended health benefits for the duration of the strike. If you work essential services shifts you will be paid by the Employer just like normal. Therefore, your benefit premiums would be deducted, and coverage will continue. The pension plan deductions will NOT be paid by CUPE.
What if I am on a leave of absence for medical or other reasons? If you are already covered by a third-party insurer [HEB Manitoba, Manitoba Public Insurance (MPI), Workers Compensation (WCB), etc, you will remain to be covered. If you are trying to put in a new claim, you will be denied. CUPE will provide you with strike pay in lieu.
Am I eligible for Employment Insurance while on strike? No.
What if I have vacation booked during a strike? Vacations are usually cancelled by the Employer if we go on strike. After a strike has ended CUPE will work with you to have vacation re-scheduled as per your Collective Agreement, as fairly as possible. If you have already booked a trip before the strike was announced then you may still go on your trip, but will not be paid vacation time during the duration of the strike.
What about my financial obligations like mortgage, rent, credit cards, car payment, loans, child support, etc.? CUPE has a form letter that you will be able to send to financial institutions and creditors, notifying them of a strike and requesting adjusted payment conditions be arranged with you. Most financial institutions will help you put together a plan to deal with your situation in the event of a strike which may include allowing you to reduce payments, paying interest only charges, etc. Should we serve notice to strike, we highly recommend contacting your financial institution/credit cards, etc, right away to discuss a plan. See your site/area Vp and communications platform for this form to print, fill and get to them.
Am I allowed to bring my children/pet(s) with me to the picket line? Friends and family? Family members and service animals are permitted on the picket line. Supporters are certainly welcome to come and show their support for health care workers! The more the better.
Is it still possible to go to binding arbitration if we go on strike? Yes, after 60 days of being on legal strike either the Union or the Employers can apply to go to binding arbitration. Bargaining can still continue during a strike.
Do members still get to vote on the contract if we go to binding arbitration? No. The arbitrator’s decision is binding on both the Employer and the Union. There will be no opportunity for members to vote on an arbitrator’s decision.
Do members vote again to go on strike? No. Members have already given a strike mandate to the bargaining committee.
I am working essential service shifts; can I picket at my regular location that is not a picket location to show solidarity in strike activity? No, you cannot just start picketing just anywhere. However, you can take photos on your breaks with other supporters to send to natina57@hotmail.com and we will have the photos put up on our website and communication forum.
What is Solidarity?
The picket line is how we unite with one voice and show our commitment to being treated with respect and getting what we deserve. Picket duties are how we strike to win together: if there is a strike, we will emerge stronger and more united than ever! We are only as strong as our solidarity as union members. Our strength is in numbers!
