Sept 15, 2023

Dear Member;

IBEW 2034 wants to reach out and remind members how important it is to vote. Every vote will count in this election.  We encourage our members to get involved and help elect a government on October 3rd that will improve working conditions at Manitoba Hydro and, as a result, increase the quality of life for you and your family.

Let us go over some highlights over the last 7 years since Pallister and his cabinet were sworn in on May 3, 2016. 

• In Early 2017 the Government Forced voluntary departure that saw 300 jobs eliminated from IBEW jurisdiction with no regard for safe or effective operations of Manitoba Hydro and had an adverse impact on staff.
• The Manitoba government's introduction of Bill 28: The Public Services Sustainability Act in 2017, threw labour relations into chaos, and was cited as “unconstitutional” by the court of Queen's bench.
• The Manitoba Government’s introduction of Bill 16: Legislation that would significantly change collective bargaining in favour of employers and negatively impact workers and unions.  This legislation would effectively eliminate binding arbitration after 60 days of a strike or lockout.
• A government imposed 3-year hiring freeze that continued to have an adverse impact on staff, training, operations, and customers.
• A 3-day forced reduction in pay or forced layoff (that had no ties to a reduction of work).
• Continued attack's on public sector bargaining that have forced more strike action in the last 3 years than the province has seen in 1/2 a century!
• A government that ensures it has maintained the 5-year rolling average of the Cost of inflation for itself, but calls Public Sector Employees greedy for requesting the same.  See the link where it is also made it very clear and irrefutable of the current Government the interference in public sector bargaining, as well as falsely characterizing the offer to Liquor and Lotteries. “That’s where I draw the Line”

I was asked recently by some members, Why should IBEW members support the NDP?  IBEW has never told our members how to vote, but we continually encourage members to participate and consider a candidate or party that benefits their families and communities.  As your Business Manager, I put this question directly to Adrien Sala, the NDP MLA for St James and the Official Opposition Critic for Manitoba Hydro.  Here is how Adrien himself responded to my question -   “why should IBEW members vote for the NDP?”

Because we will work for your jobs. We know Manitoba Hydro is our Crown Jewel in Manitoba. The PCs under Pallister and Stefanson want to break it up and sell it off. That means higher rates for families and businesses and fewer good jobs in our province. We can’t let that happen and we will fight to strengthen Hydro instead of selling it off.

Because we will work for good wages. We know the PCs under Pallister and Stefanson froze wages and caused two strikes with their interference. That cost front line workers money and made it harder to get by in a cost of living crisis. The NDP is committed to working with IBEW and all worker representatives so workers are treated fairly.

Because we will work to make life more affordable. For too long the PCs have given cheques to billionaires while regular people found it harder and harder to pay rent, keep up with the bills, the cost of gas and groceries and regular life. We will freeze Hydro rates so folks aren’t seeing their bills rise, we will stop the PCs plan for surge pricing which will make bills higher in the coldest parts of winter and hottest parts of summer, and we will help with rent and the cost of living to make sure regular people get a break.

There is a lot more to do to improve Manitoba. We have to fix health care which has been cut by the PCs. And we have to work on getting our economy and roads, highway and infrastructure back on track. It has been neglected and cut under the PCs and that needs to change

We respect working people and their representatives like IBEW. We know Manitoba jobs should go to Manitobans and that’s why we are asking for your support. Please reach out if you have any questions or want to speak about any specific issue as well.

Adrien Sala

Official Opposition Critic for Manitoba Hydro 

2047922055

adrien.sala@mbleg.ca

In Solidarity,

Business Manager
IBEW Local Union 2034