Yesterday, while still pressing for public sector layoffs and work reductions, the Manitoba government called for departments to submit applications to create full-time STEP student jobs for this summer.
The move comes just a week after the provincial government sent a memo to public workers threatening layoffs while pressing for work reduction schemes that would cut public services and force hard working public workers into unemployment.
MGEU President, Michelle Gawronsky says that, while creating STEP summer jobs for students is important, it should not be done in a way that makes the province's recent layoff and work share scheme even worse.
“Before hiring summer students, the Province's first responsibility should be to redeploy its existing staff to the areas of greatest need. It makes no sense to impose layoffs and work reductions on existing public workers with mortgages to pay when the province clearly believes there is enough additional work for summer students to be hired,” added Gawronsky.
The MGEU, along with economists, business leaders, community leaders, and regular Manitobans agree that cuts and mass layoffs are the wrong approach and will further damage our already fragile economy at the very moment that Manitoba has begun to reopen.
Earlier today, Gawronsky sent an email to Reg Helwer, the Minister responsible for the Civil Service, urging him to redeploy those who the government plans to deem “non-essential,” instead of laying off these workers.
“Many employers in the public and private sector are finding
creative ways to redeploy their workforce, and the province needs to do the
same,” she said in the email. “As long as the
province is still insisting on layoffs and work reduction schemes, summer STEP
students should only be brought in after all existing public workers have been
utilized.”