A union representing thousands of Winnipeg health-care workers has merged 20 of its local chapters for staff at facilities across the city into a single, 7,000-person collective. Workers from the Canadian Union of Public Employees voted last year to form CUPE Local 204, bringing the locals from 20 health-care facilities together. Last year, the Progressive Conservative government passed Bill 29, the Health Sector Bargaining Act, to reduce the number of health-care bargaining units in the province. Once it is, it will cut 183 health-care bargaining units down to seven, substantially reducing the number of collective agreements or contracts with employees. "The MGEU is confident in our ability to be a strong voice for health-care workers, and all our members across Manitoba," the spokesperson wrote.

Source: CBC News January 31, 2018 21:16 UTC