CUPE (Canadian Union of Public Employees) Local 4270 is a membership run union by the members democratically electing their representatives. The representatives are also members of the same local. Local 4270 members are the folks who are also known as healthcare support workers in Rural Manitoba. Support workers are seen working the front line and behind the scenes of health care.

Few folks understand the teamwork and effort it takes to be a support worker. As a visual they are and continue to be the foundation of the health care system. Without support workers health care would crumble. They work hands on with the patients, clients, residents, in their homes, communities, and on the floor, at the front desks, fixing, cleaning, and maintaining the buildings and grounds. They are also the folks cooking and prepping meals, keeping the place organized with filing, scheduling shifts, and appointments, and provide activities to name a few things they do. These folks do the work that they do because they enjoy being a part of and helping our communities, clients, residents, and patients. They are the team who are truly there to care for each of our families professionally.

CUPE has been and remains a highly active union in the public sector for over 60 years. With over 18,000 members across the province of Manitoba and has approximately 750 000 members across Canada. CUPE is massive, and proud of its values and desire for equality for all.

Our local (Local 4270) covers the largest area topographically speaking in Manitoba.  The farthest north being Gladstone, the most east being Sprague, most south is Emerson, and the most west is Rock Lake. This area is also known as the Southern Health/Sante Sud region who operates under the public health sector of the Government. Local 4270 has over 3000 members alone who are a major part of Manitoba’s health care system.

A question that we often hear is, “What does the union do?” Well, the union is who bargains the collective agreements on behalf of the membership. The union is there for the members when in need of support. There for the members if looking for or needing a resource for connections that may be needed in certain situations that arise.

The union is the reason we have the “extras” that a worker would not normally get if working for a non-union employer. Things like benefits, pension plans, paid time off, a support system, paid sick days, the ability to have support during domestic violence scenarios, paid and unpaid time off during a loss of a close family member(list included in the contract), premiums, wage increases, protective language, to be sure the process is being followed for management meetings including but not limited to return-to-work meetings, disciplinary meetings, non-disciplinary meetings, supportive meetings and so much more.

Unions in general are and have been the fighters of equal rights for all.  We work alongside and have great support from MFL (Manitoba Federation of Labour, check out their link) We are supported by and work alongside CUPE Manitoba and CUPE National.

Local 4270 has never been quiet, our local members are strong, and we will continue to be vocal for our rural voices. One of the many ways we do this is by getting the membership more involved.  One of the ways we can do this is through joining the CUPE Manitoba Committees.  Check out more information on our website, and by talking to your site/area representatives.

We are proud to have our membership involved more and are always looking for membership involvement.  To bring a voice forward on behalf of our entire membership to join us and be a part of the running committees is another way to be a strong advocate for all.

Check out the committees that we have on our website.  Some committees include Health and Safety, Women and Gender rights, 2SLGBTQI+, young workers (aged 35 and under), Human Rights, Racialized workers, Persons with a Disability, and Safer Spaces just to name a few.  You can find out more about these committees and how to get involved with CUPE, and more on the links provided on this site.