CUPE responds to City of Winnipeg preliminary budget
November 29, 2013 at 4:21 PM
Today, the City of Winnipeg tabled both the capital and operating budgets for 2014. Some of the highlights of the proposed operating budget include:
- Property-tax hike of 2.95 per cent (0.95% for general service costs; 1% for Local Street Renewal Reserve Fund; 1% will be dedicated to Regional Street Renewal Reserve Fund).
- Mandatory unpaid leave for all city employees providing "non-essential services for 3.5 day between Christmas and New Year's Eve in 2014.
- $14.1 million in vacancy management.
- Reduction to management and public service positions within WAPSO for annual savings of $2 million.
- Alternate Service Delivery (ASD) to find more efficient ways to deliver city services for budget savings of $2.4 million.
- Grants for profit agencies like the YMCA-YWCA towards new recreation facilities as opposed to funding our city-owned and operated facilities.
"We are very disturbed by the proposed operating budget," said Local 500 President, Mike Davidson. "Winnipeggers depend on the services our members provide, and we work 24/7, 365 days per year because we know that this city depends on us to be there."
Two of the biggest concerns for CUPE are the $14.1 million dollars identified in vacancy management and the mandatory 3.5 days of unpaid leave for city staff. These two items are an erosion of the city's front line services that will ultimately impair the city's ability to deliver needed programs and services.
"Street lights don't wait until after the holidays to burn out, and water mains don't wait until after the holidays to burst," says Davidson. "City staff need to be available to make this city work; to provide recreation services over the holidays, and to be there to answer the call when Winnipeggers need help."
In the coming weeks, the Local will be making presentations on behalf of the membership in opposition of this budget at the various standing committees of Council and at City Council on December 17.
Please watch for further updates on the budget process. Copies of the Local's presentations will be available on the Local's website or you can give us a call at 204-942-1001 to arrange to have a copy sent to you.
