Not all Manitobans off work on new holiday

While many Manitobans gear up for their first February long weekend, others are preparing to celebrate Louis Riel Day at work.

Louis Riel Day, the third Monday in February, is a holiday for students and all employees who work for provincially regulated businesses.

About 10 per cent of employees in Manitoba fall under federal jurisdiction, however, and they are not entitled to the day off unless their employer decides to offer it.

Some workerswho might not have the day off include those who work for railway, trucking and shipping firms, airlines or airports, banks, broadcasting, grain elevators and shipping services.

Some of those employers, such as the Royal Bank, are acting on their own to give employees the long weekend.

"More enlightened employers are doing that, and I would encourage all employers to give people the time off," said Darlene Dzeiwit, president of the Manitoba Federation of Labour. "It's a long time between New Year's and Easter."

Letter carriers are among those who will be working Monday.

Gord Fischer, a grievance officer with the Canadian Union of Postal Workers, said he's heard some concern from his members about the holiday.

"I'm sure that the next time the union goes into negotiations we will have people raising it as a demand," he said.

Letter carriers may find they have trouble making some deliveries, since many businesses will be closed or open only holiday hours.They've been instructed to try to find out in advance which businesses on their routes will be open.

Retail business in communities with Sunday and holiday shopping can open on Louis Riel Day during regular Sunday shopping hours from noon to 6 p.m. the same as Victoria Day and Thanksgiving Day.

At workplaces under provincial jurisdiction, employees who work must be paid 1 times their regular rate of pay, as well as general holiday pay.Employees who do not work should receive holiday pay, except under certain circumstances.

Louis Riel Day, Manitoba's eighth general holiday, was named through a contest at the province's schools.Eleven schools suggested the name.

Riel, who was born in 1844 and hanged for treason in 1885, remains a controversial figure in Canadian history. Most consider him the founder of Manitoba; he is seen by some as a hero of aboriginal peoples, but by others as a traitor who instigated civil war.