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MGEU/NUPGE members are seek strong strike madate to fight concessions at the bargaining table.
Winnipeg (27 Nov. 2014) — On November 26, the Manitoba Government and General Employees' Union (MGEU/NUPGE) bargaining commitee for the 868 members employed by the Government Liquor Commission (GOLICO) met with Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries Corporation (MBLL) negotiating team to continue discussions on a new collective agreement. No new deal was reached but another bargaining session has been scheduled for December 4 to find solutions to the remaining issues.
Strike vote to show support for bargaining proposals
Despite the new bargaining meeting, a previously scheduled strike vote will take place between November 27 and December 2 to provide the negotiating team with a mandate to set a strike date, if necessary. MGEU/NUPGE members must vote in favour of a strike in order for a date to be set. Strike vote ballots will be counted on December 3, and results will be released to the media and on the union's website.
MGEU/NUPGE members employed by GOLICO overwhelmingly rejected a tentative agreement with their employer on November 17. The vote had the best turn out of any GOLICO vote in the last four rounds of bargaining and was reflective of the full complement of members from all departments — including retail, head office and the distribution centre.
MGEU/NUPGE members at GOLICO looking for a fair and reasonable settlement
The MGEU/NUPGE bargaining committee’s goal from day one was to bargain a new collective agreement that included a fair and reasonable wage increase, improvements to benefits and no concessions.
On October 22, Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries made a final offer to the GOLICO bargaining committee that included a modest wage increase over four years, but only if GOLICO members agreed to give up several provisions they had bargained over the past 50 years and accept a benefits plan for which the employer has not provided details. The bargaining committee’s number one priority is to remain at the bargaining table until a fair agreement can be bargained in earnest with the employer taking all concessionary proposals off the table.
Goal of a strike vote
A strong strike mandate shows the employer that members are suppor their bargaining priorities and the employer should take them seriously. A successful strike vote also gives the bargaining committee the authority to prepare for a strike if the employer refuses to negotiate further.
The MGEU/NUPGE bargaining committee has scheduled membership meetings across the province from November 27 to December 2. The exact dates, times and locations can be found on the union's website.
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