More than 12,000 employees affected
The Manitoba Government and General Employees’ Union (MGEU) civil service bargaining committee, on behalf of more than 12,000 members, filed for arbitration on July 26.
“We sat down with the employer to begin negotiations in good faith,” says Michelle Gawronsky, MGEU president. “However, these negotiations were immediately frustrated by the employer’s refusal to discuss wages and benefits.”
Pursuing arbitration means an independent third-party will hear arguments from both sides and then determine a contract settlement, says the union.
This is particularly concerning because Bill 28, the government’s wage freeze law, has been negatively impacting bargaining tables across the public sector, says MGEU.
A court hearing challenging the constitutionality of Bill 28, which was spearheaded by the Manitoba Federation of Labour, MGEU and other public sector unions, will proceed as scheduled this coming fall, says the union.
