LATEST BARGAINING NEWS
On April 22, 2025 an arbitration meeting took place.
The legal counsel from both MGEU and the employer presented their cases to the arbitrator.
A decision is expected by May 20, 2025.
Overview of Bargaining So Far
Members of Métis Child, Family and Community Services (MCFCS) - Local 383 had an opportunity to put forward their ideas and prosoals for improving their collective agreement at a Local meeting on October 4, 2023.
On October 26 and 27, 2023, the Bargaining Committee pulled these proposals together into a package to present to the employer.
Negotiations began November 6, 2023 and included discussions regarding the Essential Service Agreement.
Talks continued on November 30 and December 15, 2023, and January 9, 2024.
The Bargaining Committee and the employer completed discussions around non-monetary items, like contract language and working conditions, in early Febraury 2024.
They moved on to monetary negotiations, including wages and benefits, on February 26, 2024. Negotiations and Essential Service Agreement discussions continued April 15, May 6, May 17, and June 7, 2024.
The Bargaining Committee held update meetings with members on July 4, 2024. Negotiations paused for the summer and plans were made to continue monetary discussions in September.
The Committee and the employer remained close to finalizing the Essential Services Agreement.
An info webinar was held on October 22 to provide members with an update and possible steps moving forward.
Your Bargaining Committee and the employer met on November 22, 2024 to finalize the Essential Services Agreement.
At a meeting on December 17, 2024 members were presented with the current employer offer and provided an opportunity to ask questions.
Your Bargaining Committee asked members to vote to reject the offer and provide the committee with a strike mandate.
On December 19, 2024 members voted to reject the non-monetary offer and provided the Bargaining Committee with a strong strike mandate.
After members voted to reject the employer's offer, the Bargaining Committee asked the employer to return to the bargaining table. Negotiations resumed with the employer on January 30, 2025, with additional bargaining dates scheduled into March.
The Province notified the employer about a funding increase for CFS agency operations across Manitoba. A portion of this funding will be provided to Métis Child, Family and Community Services specifically for the purpose of providing wage parity with those working in CFS across the province.
Unfortunately, on March 6, the employer provided some staff with layoff notices.
With new funding on the way, there was no justification for layoff notices, and the MGEU called for the employer to reverse them.
On Monday, March 10, an online meeting with the membership took place to discuss this issue and talk about potential strike action.
On March 11, the MGEU sent formal notice of strike action to the employer. The notice was sent in conjunction with strike notices sent to Michif CFS and Southeast CFS.
No agreement was reached prior to the scheduled strike start date. Therefore, members began to strike for wage parity on March 25, 2025.
A conciliator was brought in to assist with the negotiations.
On April 3, 2025 the MGEU applied to the Manitoba Labour Board to have an independent arbitrator resolve the ongoing contract dispute. MGEU argued that essential services requirements, particularly when combined with the staff layoffs that took effect April 3, left members without a meaningful right to strike.
On the evening of April 7, 2025 your Bargaining Committee reached an agreement to resolve outstanding contract negotiations through voluntary arbitration, effectively ending the strike that began on March 25.
Members returned to work on April 8, 2025.