Manitoba Public Insurance workers reject offer, remain on the picket line

Manitoba Public Insurance employees are back on the picket lines after rejecting the latest offer from their employer, continuing a strike that has just entered its third month.

MPI workers have been on strike since Aug. 28. A new contract was presented by MPI to its employees on Sunday. The new offer included wage increases of 12.2 per cent over four years, and a one-time lump sum signing bonus of $1,800 for full-time workers.

But on Monday, that offer was rejected and MPI employees were back on the picket lines Tuesday morning.

“They’re really looking for some recognition for the time they have put on the picket line,” union president Kyle Ross said. “It has been a really tough couple of months. It’s really unfortunate and we just want a fair deal.

“We want to work together and not fight with each other. We just have to find a place where it’s fair for everyone.”

Ross says the offer was not what the members were expecting. He still believes the best way to end the strike is by negotiating with MPI at the bargaining table.

“When you go to arbitration, you take away our members’ vote, you take away the democratic right, and you take the employer’s right as well,” said Ross. “Neither one of us may like it. If we can bargain a deal, we can both accept at the table, that’s the best way to go forward, it’s the best way to rebuild relationship with MPI.”

In an email statement to CityNews, MPI says it is committed to working with the union to resolve the strike.

Both parties are now eligible to apply for binding arbitration, but University of Manitoba professor of labour studies Adam King says that might not happen in the short term.

“You may see the employer take some time to reconsider an additional offer and the union would much rather have a deal done at the table, so I think it’s wait and see for a few days. For now, workers are back on the picket lines,” said King.

Matt Wiebe, the newly appointed minister in charge of Manitoba Public Insurance, blamed the former Progressive Conservative government for letting the strike last.

“Workers are frustrated after being kept out on the picket line for weeks by the former government,” Wiebe said. “A membership vote is part of the process. We’re committed to keeping the dialogue open and ending this strike as soon as we can.”

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It’s not just workers who are being impacted by this strike, so to are Manitobans who are waiting on claims.

Johnny, who wished to not share his last name, got into a car accident on Aug. 28 – the day the strike began – and is still waiting for repairs on his car. He says he was disappointed to see the members turning down this latest offer.

“It’s frustrating because they say my car is TBA,” he said. “We’re the innocent ones right now. COVID is picking up. I have to take the bus and I am higher risk of getting COVID. I would rather take the vehicle to work, and I wouldn’t have to deal with it.”