MPI strike action disrupts services

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This article was published 29/08/2023 (1011 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Approximately 1,700 Manitoba Public Insurance workers launched a strike on Monday morning, marking an unprecedented situation. MPI chair Ward Keith described it as the first instance of labour stoppage in the 52-year history of the Crown corporation.

The strike, orchestrated by the Manitoba Government and General Employees’ Union, has triggered widespread service shutdowns across various locations, including Brandon, Winnipeg, Dauphin, Portage la Prairie and others, raising concerns about the adverse effects on individuals.

Picket lines have been established outside various MPI locations, including one at the Brandon Service Centre on 731 First St. The Brandon Sun observed that workers were well-equipped for the picket, as they took turns holding placards and walking in front of the service centre.

The placards bore messages such as “MGEU ON STRIKE: Catch Up, Keep Up with Rising Inflation,” “What’s Fair for Heather Is Fair for Us,” “2% Is for Milk,” and “WTF: Where is The Fairness,” among others. The picket activity took place between 8:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.

Despite the active picketing, the strike captain politely declined to speak with the media, redirecting a reporter to the MGEU in Winnipeg for further comments. The notice posted on the front door of the service centre stated: “Due to ongoing labour interruptions, this location is closed until further notice.”

The strike’s effects are already being felt by Brandon residents. Two individuals who had scheduled road tests expressed their disappointment.

Chartered accountant John, who preferred not to disclose his last name, shared his dismay, saying: “I am really disappointed about the strike because I had booked my road test today and meant to travel with my licence tomorrow, but this has affected my plans. I can’t drive and am forced to take a bus, which means I will be on the road for about 20 hours.”

“I am actually confused here,” said another affected customer, Dorcas Anthony. “The liquor workers just called off their strike yesterday and today MPI is starting theirs. This is so frustrating to some of us who booked appointments weeks back. I plead with relevant agencies to intervene as soon as possible and should not allow this strike to linger for months like the liquor strike actions.”

MPI has offered union members an annual wage increase of two per cent a year for four years. The deal includes additional wage incentives and adjustments for specific employees, and a one-time signing bonus. The Crown corporation has said its offer is equal to a 17 per cent wage increase, but MGEU has called that disingenuous and misleading.

Rather, the union would like to see annual wage increases in line with those given to Premier Heather Stefanson and all MLAs — 3.3 per cent in 2023 and 3.6 per cent in 2024 and 2025.

“It didn’t really have to come to this, we could have just bargained a deal,” MGEU president Kyle Ross said as he expressed disappointment at the need for such action as picketers marched outside the Main Street MPI location in Winnipeg.

“The government’s the one pulling the strings behind the scenes and we’re just hoping that they’ll come to the table. … We just feel we have no choice,” Ross added. “(MPI puts) these unfair offers on the table, and then continues to mischaracterize it in the media, it makes it really difficult to find a solution.”

MPI reacted to the union’s claims via a statement shared with the media on Monday.

“Contrary to public statements once again being made by MGEU leadership, MPI’s enhanced offer is worth up to 17 per cent in total monetary value,” stated Keith. He emphasized that this offer encompasses various elements, including general wage increases, a significant permanent pay step increase of 3.5 per cent, a special wage adjustment for operations staff, a lump-sum signing bonus and other benefit enhancements for MPI employees and their families.

“MGEU leadership can continue attempting to spin these numbers to confuse Manitobans, but facts are facts,” Keith stated. He added that the current MPI offer entails general wage increases of two per cent annually over the four-year agreement.

This is in line with the wage increases ratified by the same union for unionized employees at Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries, as well as with settlement patterns in other provincial public sector organizations represented by the MGEU.

“The deal MGEU endorsed for unionized employees at Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries contains the exact same general wage increases as in MPI’s offer,” Keith stated.

He further highlighted that the key distinction lies in MPI’s offer, which includes a direct pathway to voluntary arbitration. This allows MGEU to present its case for general wage increases exceeding the initially proposed two per cent per year, all while ensuring the total 17 per cent monetary value of the current offer.

“The proposed agreement also introduces a significant and permanent pay step increase of 3.5 per cent, applicable to all unionized pay scales. Additionally, MPI offers a one per cent special wage adjustment for unionized employees in the corporation’s operations division. While this component doesn’t apply universally, it benefits three-quarters of MGEU members,” he added.

“Despite the substantial value of the offer, including a route for addressing general wage increases, MGEU rejected the offer without taking it to members for a vote. This decision prompted the union to initiate a full-scale strike, causing service disruptions and challenges for Manitobans.”

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