Hydro workers vote in favour of strike

A bargaining unit of nearly 900 Manitoba Hydro workers has voted in favour of a strike mandate.

The vote was held Friday, the Canadian Union of Public Employees 998 said last week.

CUPE will file for conciliation services in advance of a strike date being set, which could happen within weeks, a Monday news release said.

The union received a “strong strike mandate,” from workers, the news release said. It did not state what percentage of the votes cast were in favour of a strike mandate, nor how many workers voted.

CUPE 998 represents about 870 people working in information technology, customer engagement, and other technical and administrative support roles. It is the second-largest bargaining group at Manitoba Hydro.

The union said the vote followed months of negotiations. On Monday, the union said it is seeking wage increases equal to that of the other bargaining units. CUPE is also seeking the “reversal of privatization efforts” and “an end to union-busting tactics by Hydro management, including union-recognition issues at Manitoba Hydro International and Manitoba Hydro Telecom.”