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MGEU President speaks in support of domestic violence bill

"Victims of domestic violence struggle with its effects in every aspect of their life and those issues follow victims to their jobs every single day. We all need to be part of the solution in helping victims." — Michelle Gawronsky, MGEU President

Winnipeg (23 Feb. 2016) — On February 18, Michelle Gawronsky, President of the Manitoba Goivernment and General Employees Union (MGEU/NUPGE) spoke at a legislative committee in support of Bill 8, The Employment Standards Code Amendment Act (Leave for victims of domestic violence, leave for serious injury or illness and extension of compassionate care leave). Bill 8 seeks to establish guaranteed paid job leave for victims of domestic violence who need to take time off from work to deal with their situations.

The effects of domestic violence are a workplace concern

“The proposed legislation embodies a key factor that is so desperately missing in a respectful and compassionate workplace. Victims of domestic violence struggle with its effects in every aspect of their life and those issues follow victims to their jobs every single day. We all need to be part of the solution in helping victims,” Gawronsky said.

Gawronsky also spoke of how domestic violence affects MGEU/NUPGE members in their workplaces, and shared personal stories of the effects of domestic violence on a working parent. She encouraged all MLA’s to support the new legislation unanimously to send a powerful message to all victims of domestic violence that they are supported. 

Legislation provides victims with time off without fear of job loss

Bill 8 proposes changes to The Employment Standards Code that would give victims of domestic violence the right to time off work without fear of job loss under a broad range of circumstances. Options would include access of up to 10 days to use intermittently or in consecutive days, as needed, and an additional continuous period of leave of up to 17 weeks.

NUPGE 

The National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) is one of Canada's largest labour organizations with over 360,000 members. Our mission is to improve the lives of working families and to build a stronger Canada by ensuring our common wealth is used for the common good. NUPGE