As the strike by Manitoba Public Insurance (MPI) employees enters its sixth week, the corporation says it’s introducing new and expanded contingency plans to ensure customers have continued access to MPI services, including expanded estimating capacity and increased driver testing options.
In an emailed media release, Ward Keith, MPI Board Chairperson said, “I am pleased MPI officials have been able to minimize service disruptions for Manitobans during the labour interruption. The success of these contingency plans clearly demonstrates MPI’s commitment to maintaining core and essential services during this time, and the strong partnerships that exist between the corporation and its industry partners throughout the province.”
The release also said, “Last week, MPI also began welcoming back employees who have voluntarily requested to return to work. These employees are being assigned to the core and essential customer service functions they are most suited for and are joining redeployed management and professional staff and replacement workers who have been working hard to maintain core
services for Manitobans since the labour interruption began.
MPI continues to respond to the high number of hail claims that resulted from severe weather this summer. Beginning this week, MPI will double its estimating capability, helping to move more customers through the estimating process faster. MPI has partnered with DCC Hail, an innovative Canadian paintless dent repair company, to set up a second drive-through estimating hail scanning tool at MPI’s Physical Damage Centre. Each scanner produces a complete vehicle estimate in about six minutes. Introducing a second unit will double the number of estimates MPI can complete per hour, resulting in shorter wait times and less inconvenience for customers. Since MPI and DCC set up the first scanner two weeks ago, the technology has helped
produce more than 2,300 hail damage estimates.
MPI has resumed knowledge testing for all driver licence classes in Winnipeg and Brandon. For commercial drivers, this means commercial driving schools can now resume intakes for new classes and begin to move students through their training programs. Knowledge testing for new teen drivers enrolled in MPI’s Driver Z high school education program also continues to be administered directly through that program. Class 1-6 and Air Brake Knowledge Tests are now available for all customers on a walk-in basis at MPI testing locations. No appointment is required. New test applicants who did not previously have an appointment cancelled or scheduled, must visit a broker to purchase a test prior to visiting one of the designated locations listed on MPI’s website.
MPI has also expanded regular Class 5 road testing to 20 communities outside Winnipeg. Customers waiting for a test are being contacted by MPI to schedule a time in their community.”
