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WINNIPEG—Stronger employment law to level the playing field between workers and their employers must be an important part of Premier Wab Kinew’s legislative agenda, says Unifor.
“Working families lost ground under the Pallister and Stefanson government. The Wab Kinew government should take swift action to restore balance in labour law,” said Lana Payne, Unifor National President. “When working people have robust rights at work, good jobs flourish.”
Labour activist and Unifor member Anthony Cuenca was present at today’s swearing in of the premier and executive council. During the election campaign, Unifor mounted its most ambitious voter mobilization effort ever in Manitoba. Volunteer teams fanned out across the province to contact Unifor members about the PC’s record and the alternative offered by the Manitoba NDP.
“To say there was an appetite for change on the doorsteps would be an understatement,” said Cuenca. “The workers I talked to were ready to elect a government that would treat us with respect and help grow good jobs in Manitoba.”
Unifor Western Regional Director Gavin McGarrigle says high expectations are following Kinew into office: “As opposition leader, Premier Kinew was an ally who supported anti-scab legislation, single-step unionization, and increases to the minimum wage. Now we look forward to working closely with his administration to make these a reality.”
Unifor Local 191 member Tracy Schmidt was elected the new MLA for Rossmere on October 3 and was appointed to serve as the Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Minister Responsible for Efficiency Manitoba.
Unifor is Canada’s largest union in the private sector, representing 315,000 workers in every major area of the economy. The union advocates for all working people and their rights, fights for equality and social justice in Canada and abroad, and strives to create progressive change for a better future.
