Striking Manitoba Public Insurance (MPI) workers rejected the latest offer from the Crown corporation Monday night and are headed back to the picket lines today.
Manitoba Government and General Employees Union president Kyle Ross told Global News, “Our members have spoken, and after 9 weeks on the picket line, they are standing firm in their fight for fairness.”
The strike over wages began August 28th, and the union is requesting MPI return to the bargaining table as soon as possible.
Ross also said “There has been a disconnect between the new government’s messages of support for our members and what we have seen from the employer at the bargaining table.”
MPI’s latest offer would have provided wage increases of 12.2% over four years, and would also include a one-time lump-sum signing bonus of $1,800 per full-time employee (pro-rated for part-time employees).
In a statement to Global News, MPI says it is committed to continuing to work with MGEU to resolve the dispute and bringing 1700 employees back to work.
(With files from Global News Winnipeg)
