Loblaw workers vote for strike

Ninety-seven per cent of nearly 4,000 Manitoban workers from Superstore, No Frills and Extra Foods voted in favour of a strike mandate. These members of the United Food and Commercial Workers Union (UFCW) Local 832 have been bargaining with Loblaws since June 2023. Negotiations are scheduled to continue until the union’s contract expires on Sept. 28.

Selling books for new ICU

As a part of its Intensive Care, Critical Need campaign, the Grace Hospital Foundation is hosting a book sale from Sept. 21 to 23 to help fundraise for a new intensive-care unit. The foundation is pledging $5 million to support its construction. Anyone interested in supporting the cause and checking out the usedbook collection can stop by 480 Booth Dr. from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Thursday and Friday, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday.

Compost program approved

Winnipeg will offer curbside compost collection for single- family households by 2030. On Sept. 8, the City of Winnipeg announced plans to move forward with the program, scrapping the proposed annual $8 fee, which would have been used to purchase green carts and kitchen pails over the next six years. Instead, city-council members are exploring options to make the service available sooner. The waste-diversion fee would still increase by $96 in 2030, in addition to the existing $69.46 annual charge.

Homecoming panel on downtown revitalization

The University of Winnipeg’s alumni community is celebrating its 2023 homecoming on campus, featuring a panel discussion. Revitalization and Collaboration: Creating Positive Change Downtown takes place on Sept. 21 from 5 to 7:30 p.m. in the Richardson College for the Environment and Science Complex. Four panelists will discuss community development and grassroots initiatives, downtown safety, housing, transportation and opportunities for youth. Dr. Jino Distasio, U of W vice-president of research and innovation, will moderate.

Winnipeg Wildflower Project seed harvesting

Winnipeg Wildflower Project, an organization advocating to restore urban spaces to native prairie habitats, is calling for volunteers to participate in their annual seed harvesting. Winnipeg Wildflower Project tends to five gardens in the city, which are in the Greenway (along Abinojii Mikanah), Point Douglas, Transcona, Waterfront Drive and Wellington Crescent neighbourhoods. Volunteers must bring small containers, envelopes or small bags to collect the seeds starting on Sept. 14 at the Transcona location.

Celebrations Theatre permanently closes

Last week, the United Food and Commercial Workers Union (UFCW) Local 832 representing 30 staff members at Celebrations Dinner Theatre went on strike for a wage increase. They were met with notice of a permanent closure. All staff earned a minimum wage and had been without a wage increase or working contract for three years, according to UFCW Local 832 president Jeff Traeger in a statement to the Winnipeg Free Press. Bob Cunningham, president of owner Act Three Entertainment, said the dinner theatre closed due to increases in the cost of living, wages and interest rates, as well as remaining debt from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Published in Volume 78, Number 02 of The Uniter (September 14, 2023)