Three Manitoba CFS agencies issue strike mandates

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More than 500 front-line workers at three child welfare agencies in Manitoba are poised to strike after voting against their latest contract offers.

At Southeast Child and Family Services, 170 members of the Manitoba Government and General Employees’ Union, who’ve been without a contract since March 31, 2022, voted against the final offer presented before the holidays, president Kyle Ross said.

Workers under the Métis Authority — including 221 employed by Métis CFS and 111 by Michif CFS — have also given strike mandates to their bargaining committee. Their contract expired Jan. 31, 2023, and both are dealing with issues similar to those of their counterparts at Southeast CFS, the MGEU president said. They’re asking for increases in line with the four-year, 14 per cent-plus general wage increase MGEU members doing the same work in the civil service received in the fall, Ross said.

There has been no monetary offer from either Métis or Michif CFS, the union said. Southeast CFS offered wage increases totalling nine per cent over four years.

The union is now at the labour board working through the details of an essential services agreement, which has to be in place before any job action can happen.

“The last thing they want to do is take job action,” said Ross, who noted no strike date had been set and negotiations continue. “The employers aren’t leaving them a lot of choice, if they want to be treated equally with the other workers,” he said. “I think it’s a fair ask — they do very difficult work and it’s impactful on their everyday life.”

No one from Southeast CFS responded to a request for comment Thursday. The federally and provincially funded child welfare agency serves eight First Nations in southeast Manitoba: Brokenhead Ojibway Nation, Black River First Nation, Hollow Water First Nation, Bloodvein First Nation, Berens River First Nation, Poplar River First Nation, Little Grand Rapids First Nation and Pauingassi First Nation.

Manitoba Métis Federation Child and Family Services Minister Mona Buors said the Métis Authority — serving 1,400 Métis cases and 400 Michif cases — relies on provincial funding that hasn’t increased in years.

“We’ve always, historically, been very underfunded,” she said. Basic maintenance rates for children in care haven’t increased since 2012 and remain $22 per day, Buors said.

“We have no money to negotiate with,” said Buors. “They deserve a wage increase.”

Families Minister Nahanni Fontaine said in a statement the government “recognizes the important work of those who help some of our most vulnerable children and youth and we know the best deals for workers are reached at the table.”

She declined further comment “to respect the ongoing bargaining process.”

The Manitoba Advocate for Children and Youth said she is aware of the potential strikes and implored the department of families to make sure plans are in place.

“Our concern is for the children, youth, and families who would undoubtedly be impacted by these strikes,” Sherri Gott said Thursday. “The team at MACY is available to assist any young people and their families who need help accessing supports.”

The possibility of three CFS providers going on strike at the same time is unusual but not a surprise, said one child welfare researcher and advocate.

“This is an indication of not prioritizing and recognizing the dedicated work of front-line child welfare professionals,” said Jamie Pfau, a social worker and instructor at the University of Manitoba. Pfau, the president of the Manitoba Foster Parent Association, said foster parents have also been requesting a funding increase.

“Societies can be judged by how they treat their animals, children, and elders. Unfortunately, forcing front-line workers to strike in order to receive fair wages to care for the most vulnerable children does not fare well for Manitobans,” Pfau said.

carol.sanders@freepress.mb.ca

Carol Sanders
Legislature reporter

Carol Sanders is a reporter at the Free Press legislature bureau. The former general assignment reporter and copy editor joined the paper in 1997. Read more about Carol.

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