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'The employer has agreed to arbitrate this issue, which was what the union proposed at the bargaining table in December.'
Winnipeg (13 May 2009) - The Manitoba Government and General Employees' Union (MGEU/NUPGE) has averted a strike scheduled for Thursday by some 2,000 health care support workers.
"The union met with representatives of the Regional Health Authorities late last week and received an offer to settle the dispute concerning vacation for part time employees," the MGEU says in an announcement on its website.
"The employer has agreed to arbitrate this issue, which was what the union proposed at the bargaining table in December. As a result, the strike set for May 14th has been postponed, pending ratification of the tentative agreement."
Workers represented by MGEU at Fred Douglas Lodge and Victoria General Hospital in Winnipeg, as well as facilities in the North Eastman, South Eastman and Parklands regions, had voted overwhelmingly to strike in response to vacation-related concessions demanded of part-time employees.
The MGEU had urged members and supporters to call Health Minister Theresa Oswald and other legislature members to press for a fair solution.
NUPGE
The National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) is one of Canada's largest labour organizations with over 340,000 members. Our mission is to improve the lives of working families and to build a stronger Canada by ensuring our common wealth is used for the common good. NUPGE
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MGEU health care support workers need support