Manitoba health-care support workers to get 27 per cent raise under new contract

Some 25,000 health-care support workers have ratified a new collective agreement, averting a strike.

The two unions involved say the four-year deal includes average wage increases of 27 per cent and higher starting wages for high-vacancy positions.

The workers were set to walk off the job, while continuing to provide essential services, on Oct. 8.

But hours before the deadline, negotiators reached a tentative deal that was later voted on by union members.

“This shows that this government respects healthcare support staff,” said Gina McKay, President of CUPE Manitoba. “This is a government that is fulfilling its election commitment to fix healthcare in Manitoba.”

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Strike looms closer as unions for healthcare support workers and province fail to reach deal

Bargaining for healthcare support workers in Manitoba may be at a stalemate, with just a week to go until roughly 25,000 healthcare support workers could walk off the job. Mitchell Ringos reports.

A walkout by the workers, who include health-care aides, laundry workers and support staff in hospitals and personal care homes, threatened to delay services in many parts of the province.

Gord Delbridge, with the Canadian Union of Public Employees, says the new deal will help recruit and retain workers in a field where staffing has been a challenge.

“Our members stuck together to get a really good deal that will help solve the healthcare staffing crises,” said CUPE 500 President, Gord Delbridge. “We have built an agreement that helps recruit new members and retain the ones we have.

“This is a contract that turns healthcare back into a career. This is a contract that will ensure that care is in place when it is needed most.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 18, 2024