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"Our members have sent an equally strong message that we are beyond frustrated and no longer have the patience for further delays at the bargaining table.” — Bob Moroz, President MAHCP
Winnipeg (9 Oct. 2015) — Manitoba’s health care professionals have voted 88 per cent in favour of giving their bargaining committee a strike mandate.
The largest group of members of the Manitoba Association of Health Care Professionals (MAHCP/CHPS) — referred to as the Central Table bargaining unit — is currently in negotiations with the Province of Manitoba for a collective agreement. This unit includes staff at several major hospitals and clinics in Winnipeg and in northern Manitoba communities.
Extensive effort to increase member participation
For the first time, and with the goal of increasing member participation in this democratic vote, MAHCP included a week of online voting as well as in-person meetings where members who had not voted electronically could cast their ballots. The online vote took place from Sept. 21 to 28 and the five meetings were held in Thompson, Flin Flon, The Pas and Winnipeg from Sept. 30 to Oct. 6.
MAHCP represents approximately 4,000 health care professionals in more than 160 disciplines, including Diagnostics, Rehabilitation and Community services.
Strong message to employer
Bob Moroz, President of the MAHCP, said the high turnout for the online vote and meetings signals that members are unhappy at the length of time it’s taken to negotiate a new contract. Those covered by the Central Table agreement have been without a contract since March of 2014.
“By giving our bargaining committee a strong mandate, our members have sent an equally strong message that we are beyond frustrated and no longer have the patience for further delays at the bargaining table,” said Moroz, remarking that, very recently bargaining dates were added for late October, November and early December.
Lee Manning, MAHCP’s Executive Director and Lead Negotiator, said the bargaining committee is eager to get back to the table and get a fair deal done.
MAHCP is a member of the Canadian Health Professionals Secretariat.
More information:
Manitoba Association of Health Care Professionals
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