Conciliation effort fails in MPI strike

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This article was published 26/09/2023 (931 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Conciliation efforts between Manitoba Public Insurance and the union representing its striking workers appear to have collapsed, with union leaders rejecting a “final offer” put forward by the Crown corporation Tuesday.

MPI and the Manitoba General Employees Union had been meeting with a conciliator since last week in a bid to resolve job action that began Aug. 28.

“It’s been frustrating. It feels like the employer is being performative, rather than coming to the table and trying to find a resolution to the strike,” union president Kyle Ross said, hours after negotiations with MPI officials soured.

MPI offered union members 8 per cent in wage increases over four years, a 2.8 per cent ($1,800) signing bonus, a 1 per cent retention bonus for employees with at least four years of employment and a 1.7 per cent increase in benefit enhancements for the average salary.

The deal is similar to one MPI tabled early in negotiations, but extends the scope of which employees qualify for increases and when they would receive them.

MPI board chair Ward Keith told a press conference that all together, the offer represents 12.5 per cent increases for all employees.

“With the assistance and urging of the conciliator, MPI officials have today provided their final offer to the MGEU,” he said. “It represents the best deal MPI can put on the table, an offer that is as responsive to union leadership as it can be, while balancing the corporation’s obligations to both its employees and Manitoba.”

The union — which is seeking general wage increases of 3.3 per cent in 2023 and 3.6 per cent in 2024 and 2025 — said the deal is “not close” and does not apply to all union members.

“No matter how the government spins and misrepresents their offer, the reality is that one-third of MPI workers would receive wage increases of just 9 per cent over four years,” MGEU said in a release.

“We have said from the beginning that all members at MPI need wage increases that help them start to catch up and keep up. This latest offer leaves far too many members behind; it’s for that reason our bargaining committee is not prepared to put it to a vote at this time.”

The employer also withdrew a no-layoff clause previously offered at the bargaining table, MGEU said.

“We know what’s fair, and this offer isn’t there,” Ross said.

Keith called on MGEU officials to let union members vote on the deal and decide for themselves if the offer is sufficient.

“The primary focus of the union leadership has been general wage increases, and MPI has been clear right from the outset that general wage increases are one component of a much broader offer,” he said.

The union represents roughly 1,700 employees.

“I was on the strike line this morning and I can tell you our members really believe they want a fair deal, and we haven’t seen that yet,” Ross said. “Our members will hold as long as it takes to get a fair deal.”

MPI services have been significantly impacted since labour action began, with many services put on hold or reduced. Third-party brokers are currently handling the bulk of front-facing services, including license renewals and insurance payments.

Meanwhile, 42 certified driving instructors have been contracted to address a backlog of Class 5 road tests for new drivers. The backlog was estimated at around 4,000 earlier this month, and grows every day the strike is prolonged, Keith said.

Road tests for commercial drivers, such as those driving semi trucks, have not resumed.

“Situations like this are never easy for the employer or the union. … They are also extremely difficult for our employees who are incurring income loss, and for Manitobans generally who rely on MPI services,” Keith said.

Keith and Ross both said they are unconcerned about how the upcoming provincial election might impact negotiations.

“Whichever government is in power, our members are still wanting a fair deal, so hopefully we can get that. It’s never been about politics; it’s been about fairness, and we will continue to push,” Ross said.

According to provincial labour law, the parties will be forced into mandatory arbitration if they cannot settle negotiations before Oct. 27.

tyler.searle@freepress.mb.ca