City Hall Privatization Plans Protested

Dozens of Winnipeggers from all walks of life - including seniors, community activists, working people and city union members - 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, as City Council debates the budget. The rally was emceed by Cheryl-Ann Carr (left), a member of the sponsoring group 'Winnipeg is Not For Sale'. Carr called on all Winnipeggers to stand up and resist the privatization plans that Katz has on the backburner.

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 (a large part of the city's history and cultural life) 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.

Rath Pranteau of Buffalo Gals Drum Group performs opening prayer song for Rally.

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.

The full text of CUPE 500's concerns about the Katz Plan can be viewed on CUPE Local 500's web site.