Providing hot water on construction worksites will now be mandatory!
Sisters, Brothers & Friends,
You probably missed it because it came out on Friday night while the rest of us were eating dinner and getting ready to watch the Artemis splashdown. But the provincial government put out a low key (and oddly timed) workplace health & safety announcement.
Providing hot water on construction worksites will now be mandatory! This is a long fought for win for trades unions and their members – all workers should be able to wash their hands before they eat lunch or go home to hug their kids.
This health and safety rule change was championed by labour and endorsed unanimously by Manitoba’s Workplace Safety and Health Act Review Committee last year.
Special congrats to MFL VP Dave McPhail, Business Manager of IBEW 2085 and President of the MB Building Trades, for leading the charge on this and other health and safety improvements for trades workers. One down, now on to the next battle!
Thank you to Labour Minister Malaya Marcelino for another H&S improvement! Next time … let’s be loud and proud when we do right by working people.
In Solidarity,
Kevin Rebeck
President, Manitoba Federation of Labour
Sisters, Brothers & Friends,
The MFL Women’s Committee is pleased to be partnering with the Canadian Labour Congress to offer for the first time in Manitoba a special newWORKSHOP ON DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AT WORK. This workshop is designed to train union representatives on how to better support members dealing with domestic violence.
Domestic violence is a union issue. One-third of Canadian workers have experienced domestic violence, and this violence often follows workers to the job site, where it can present both physical and psychological hazards to themselves and others. Most workplaces are unprepared to respond to domestic violence, and workers have been harmed, harassed, and killed at work. Domestic violence is also a workplace equity issue—women experience much higher rates of domestic violence than men, and victims of domestic violence tend to have more disrupted work histories, more precarious jobs, and lower personal incomes as a result.
Affiliates are encouraged to participate in this new training as a way to elevate their ability to support members who are experiencing violence. As the training is quite specialized, participation will be capped at just 25 participants, so please get in touch ASAP (204-947-1400) if you are interested in registering someone from your union.
Domestic Violence at Work: Training for Union Representatives
Union Centre (275 Broadway), Winnipeg
June 22-23, 2026
Who this course is for:
Experienced union representatives—of all genders—who work with members in workplaces.
Workshop Summary:
This two-day workshop is designed to help shop stewards, health and safety representatives and other union representatives gain a deeper understanding of the dynamics of domestic violence at work, and the role of the union and the employer in addressing it. Participants will learn ways to best support members who may be experiencing domestic violence, including how to recognize and respond to the warning signs and risk factors, and how to connect members to support and services in the community. Union representatives will also leave with tools to build awareness in the workplace about domestic violence at work.
Cost / Registration:
The cost to attend this training workshop is $125 per participant. Due to the specialized nature of this training, space is limited to only 25 participants, so registration will be first come / first served. Please call 204-947-1400 to register and confirm availability. We will require the following information about each participant:
- Full Name
- Phone number
- Role within union
- Any dietary restrictions or accommodation needs
Important Note:
Please note that this workshop is not a forum for participants to share personal stories about domestic violence, or to receive information or resources to deal with a personal situation of domestic violence. If you or someone you know is in immediate danger or fearing for safety, please call 911 for help from the police. If you are not in immediate danger but want to talk about getting help to deal with domestic violence, please call Manitoba’s domestic violence crisis line at 1-877-977-0007 or check out MB.211.ca.
In Solidarity,
Anna
ANNA ROTHNEY (she/her)
Executive Director
Manitoba Federation of Labour
303-275 Broadway, Winnipeg, MB, R3C 4M6
Treaty 1 Territory & Homeland of the Red River Métis
Office: (204) 953-2563 / Mobile: (204) 894-1400
Email: ARothney@MFL.mb.ca