8 December, 2021

Dear Member;

As a result of the many questions and concerns raised by staff regarding the Manitoba Hydro policy P613 (on Covid 19), IBEW and UNIFOR have reached out to several organizations and have also sought out a legal opinion.  Through our many discussions, Manitoba Hydro has amended and added flexibility to their policy.  It has as agreed to address these questions/concerns by arranging the following:

• Manitoba Hydro will allow staff to be part of a town hall meeting with Manitoba Public Health to address questions and concerns employees may have. This will occur Dec. 10^th from 12:00 noon until 1:30 PM).  The recent M-Power article contains details as well as a mechanism for staff to submit questions prior to the event.  The town hall meeting will be recorded for staff wishing to view it at later date.

• Manitoba Hydro has also agreed to allow paid time for IBEW/UNIFOR staff to attend an earlier Town Hall meeting on December 9^th (12:00 noon-1:10PM) hosted by IBEW/UNIFOR.  This Town Hall will allow the Unions to share a Legal perspective (Fred Thiessen – Gange Collins) on many of the questions/concerns that have been brought forward to date.  (For a brief Bio on Fred Thiessen, see below.)

If staff wish to submit additional questions or concerns, please forward these to ibew@ibew2034.com  (for both UNIFOR and IBEW staff). The link for the meeting is posted below.  Staff asking to attend the meeting from non-Manitoba Hydro Computer, please contact ibew@ibew2034.com. This event will be recorded for staff wishing to view at later date.
 

Here is the Link to gain access to the Town Hall on Dec 9^th at 12:00 noon      IBEW Townhall

Brief Bio on Fred Thiessen - Gange Collins

• Fred received his call to the bar in 2006;
• has been practicing union side labour law ever since;
• Client representation in both government and private sector industries, ranging from construction, utilities, municipalities, manufacturing, academics, healthcare, media, natural resources and non-profit;
• Has been working with Unifor at Hydro since a summer student in 2004 (i.e., no stranger to disputes with Hydro);
• Practicing at Gange Collins, Barristers & Solicitors

 In solidarity,

Business Manager
IBEW Local Union 2034