Share
Hi Everyone,
I would like to give an update on bargaining. We do not have dates set and will probably not start negotiations till the fall/early winter. There are a few reasons for the delay, and keep in mind it is not unusual for us to be delayed. MBLL is currently negotiating with Teamsters Surveillance, still have MGEU F&B & Liquor and are on a pause with CUPE Admin.
As you all know Manitoba Hydro Natural Gas workers went on strike June 17. They have been without a contract since December 2020 and the Province offered wage increases that were below what an arbitrator awarded IBEW Trades. We all know that same mandate will be coming our way so I would encourage everyone to picket along side Unifor 681 as they fight for fair wages that reflect the ever-increasing cost of living.
Suzanne King is the National Representative and Chief Negotiator for Local 681 as well as our National Representative. It would be a daunting task to bargain two collective agreements with the province at the same time. We should be as supportive as we can for Suzanne as well any of the other unions that are currently negotiating with the province, these rounds of collective bargaining will be a fight for everyone, we need to stand in solidarity and fight for fair wages.
This delay will also give us time to prepare and attend training prior to negotiations. The local will send anyone on the committee that would like to attend collective bargaining training in Port Elgin, even if you want a refresher.
We have also been getting some good proposals and will continue to accept proposals for a few more weeks.
I have attached a few news articles below for reference, and I will keep all of you updated as things move along.
https://winnipeg.ctvnews.ca/more-than-200-workers-at-manitoba-hydro-go-on-strike-1.5952791
https://www.unifor.org/news/all-news/manitoba-hydro-natural-gas-workers-begin-rotating-strikes
The CUPE group with MBLL have paused their negotiations, this could be because CUPE 998 Hydro Clerical & Technical workers) are also in the process of a strike mandate.
https://5021.cupe.ca/bargaining/
Feel free to share this information and direct members to the website for updates.
As always do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions, comments, concerns.
In Solidarity,
Darren Gibson (he/him)
President – Unifor144
Office: (204) 487-2210
Mobile: (204) 509-1415
uniforlocal144.org