Following another “final” offer that simply isn’t fair or realistic, Manitoba's General Employee Union members working for Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries (MLL) have served strike notice, effective 7:00 am on Wednesday, July 19.
Strike action will begin with a one-day, province-wide walk-out by MGEU members working at all Public Liquor Marts.
This includes members working in the Liquor Distribution Centre, along with those in supporting business operations which includes those in information technology, purchasing, and administration.
Kyle Ross, president of the Manitoba General Employees Union says this is never the situation that anyone hopes for.
"The offer clearly isn't good enough for our members, it's as simple as that," said Ross. "They have a long ways to go to catch up with inflation and the past contract where ground was lost because of Bill-28. A strike is always the last resort, but we have no choice."
This job action involves approximately 1,400 MGEU members who have been working under an expired contract since March 2022. If the one-day strike does happen, this will affect Dauphin and Swan River Liquor Marts as all employees, other than the manager are MGEU members.
While the walk-out on July 19 is planned as of right now, it doesn't mean it will happen. Both parties will go back to the bargaining table over the weekend in hopes of a resolution.
At the latest, that resolution will need to come by Tuesday, or there will be a walk-out on Wednesday and a further strike could happen.
"We know the Premier and her Cabinet all got 3.3 percent this year and they will be getting a 3.6 percent raise next year based on projections," ended Ross. "These Liquor Mart workers are front-line workers, they worked during the pandemic. I think they are due for a fair and reasonable raise to keep up with inflation."
The MGEU served the employer with an official strike notice on Friday morning. Following the July 19 walk-out, members will refuse all overtime. Further strike actions will be announced in the days to come if a fair deal cannot be reached.
