Winnipeg Labour Council

City Hall Privatization Plans Protested

Winnipeggers from all walks of life gathered at Winnipeg City Hall on March 26 to give voice to their concerns about the direction that Mayor Sam Katz and his council supporters are taking the city in. Their primary concern are the privatization plans that Katz has on the backburner. Among the people representing the Winnipeg Labour Council at the rally was WLC President Larry Pelzer (left).

CUPE Manitoba President Kevin Rebeck (right) told the crowd that Katz and his cronies are willing to sacrifice critical public services on the altar of privatization and tax cuts for business. Over the last three years, City Council has privatized garbage collection, sold off taxpayer's assets and handed Assiniboine Park over to private organizations to run. Next in line for possible private delivery is a new 311 Call Centre and the East District Police Station.

Last June, the mayor's Economic Opportunities Commission (EOC) issued a report making recommendations to shut down, contract out or privatize city services that are not what they call core services of 'pipes, pavement and police'. For CUPE Local 500 members, this means every job is threatened and bargaining for a new collective agreement next year will be extremely difficult.

A group called 'Winnipeg is Not For Sale' and CUPE Local 500 organized the March 26 rally.