Manitoba nurses considering possible strike action

WINNIPEG (CityNews) — Manitoba nurses say they have been backed into a corner by the province and are considering strike action in hopes of securing a better deal.

Darlene Jackson, president of the Manitoba Nurses’ Union (MNU), says staff is overworked and they need a new deal.

“It’s almost expected when you go to work that you’re going to be double shifting,” said Jackson. “And in areas of the province we’ve heard nurses have had to triple shift.

“That’s certainly not anywhere where Manitoba nurses wanted to be. Especially in a pandemic when we know the public is depending on us and trusting us to provide that care that’s out there.”

Because nurses are an essential service, Jackson says a potential strike would not impact patient care.

“Nurses have no intention of putting patients or patient care in jeopardy, that is not our intent here,” she said.

WATCH: Manitoba Nurses Union says nurses dangerously short staffed (May 19, 2021)

Nurses have gone more than four years without a new collective bargaining agreement.

Jackson says the province is pushing back on calls for an interest arbitrator if they can’t come to an agreement.

“Our last request was, let’s agree to it and we won’t trigger it before Sept. 1. That gives us three more months to try and agree. Got a hard no on that as well.”

The reason nurses have to act now, according to Jackson, is because they need to take job action for 60 days to automatically trigger arbitration, and the clock is ticking.

“Bill 16 is looming, will become law in September,” Jackson said. “Part of that bill removes the right to trigger binding arbitration or interest arbitration after 60 days. We’re put in this position because they refuse to voluntarily go to interest arbitration, should we reach an impasse at the bargaining table.”

READ MORE: ‘Nurses are exhausted’: Manitoba Nurses’ Union calling on province for more pandemic help

Acting Health Minister Kelvin Goertzen says he tabled a “competitive offer” to the MNU.

But Jackson says that offer doesn’t deal with work-life balance of nurses, double and triple shifting, or long-term hiring or retention.

A spokesperson for the minister deferred his comments to remarks made by Premier Brian Pallister on Tuesday.

“Let’s move together now, let’s get focused on what we need to do to reach agreement,” said Pallister. “I understand under the previous administration there wasn’t as many labour disputes because there wasn’t anyone sticking up for the tax payers and the rate payers of the province. There is now.

“So not going to negotiate in the media. We’ve got a proposal. We think it’s fair.”