Manitoba Government and General employees union, which represents support members of the Interlake-Eastern Regional Health Authority and Prairie Mountain Health regions, have voted overwhelmingly to authorize their committees to call a strike if they deem it necessary.
Members have not had a renewed agreement, and wages have been frozen since 2017 and 2018.
Just a week ago, the government inducted health care workers into the Order of the Buffalo Hunt. However, the government has appeared to show no appreciation for healthcare workers at the bargaining table.
Manitoba nurses recently took a strike vote since their negotiations stalled. The government stepped in and agreed that a third-party arbitrator would settle the agreement if bargaining failed.
The hope for MGEU is that the government will provide support workers with the same respect and commit to bringing in a third-party arbitrator if talks break down for support staff.
There are over 6,100 workers in these MGEU components. They work in rural hospitals, personal care homes, and the community in various roles, including health care aides, home care attendants, maintenance, clerical, housekeeping, and dietary.
Results:
IERHA Community Support – 98.9%
IERHA HCSS – 98.3%
PMH Community Support – 98.1%
PMH HCSS – 97%
