The union representing METIS Children, Family and Community Services and Michif Children and Family Services are applying for independent arbitration to end the two-week strike.
The Manitoba General Employees Union is asking the Manitoba Labor Commission to order arbitrators to help resolve contract disputes. The union said layoffs at both agencies were hindering their right to strike.
“Effective today, these employers have waived 20% of their employees,” said MGEU President Kyle Ross. “The remaining employee population in some areas will drop to basic service levels or below. This leaves our members with little ability to exercise our right to strike in a way that meaningfully affects the operation of employers.
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“So they need access to independent arbitration to resolve this dispute.”
More than 300 employees have entered the picket team since March 25. The controversy focused mainly on wage equilibrium, with workers saying they were $3 less than their $3 less salary than other agent employees.
The union also alleges that the agencies are doing their best to reach an agreement to avoid payments to fired workers. Employees have been working under a collective agreement that expires in 2023, and only after the new agreement is approved will the increase in retrospective salary will be applicable.
“Those fired workers will lose two years of retrospective salary,” Ross said.
Global News has responded with the Manitoba Metis Federation, but has not yet heard back.
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