LATEST BARGAINING NEWS
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 Métis CFCS and Southeast CFS.
The strike will start Tuesday, March 25, 2025 if it is not possible to reach an agreement before that time.
Overview of Bargaining So Far
Members of Michif Child and Family Services (MCFS) - Locals 384, 385, and 422 had an opportunity to put forward their ideas and proposals for improving their collective agreement at a meeting on October 23, 2023.
The Bargaining Committee then worked to pull together these proposals into a package to present to the employer.
The Michif Child and Family Services - Locals 384, 385, and 422 Bargaining Committee met with the employer on November 24 and they made progress towards completing an Essential Services Agreement.
The Bargaining Committee and the employer began negotiations on December 18, 2023, and bargaining continued on January 19, February 1, and February 15, 2024.
The Bargaining committee and employer worked through non-monetary items, like working conditions and contract language, throughout the winter and spring of 2024.
Negotiations moved into discussing monetary items, including wages and benefits, in June, while discussions on an Essential Services Agreement continued.
On July 11, 2024, the Bargaining Committee held two online meetings with members to provide an update on negotiations and answer questions.
The Michif CFS Bargaining Committee held two online meetings with the membership on July 11, 2024, to provide members of the Locals with an update on negotiations thus far and answer questions. Bargaining has paused for the summer, with plans to continue monetary discussions with the employer 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.
Discussions on November 20 and December 4, 2024 were held to finalize the Essential Services Agreements.
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, your Bargaining Committee asked the employer to return to the bargaining table. Bargaining resumed on February 13, 2025.
The employer's position had not changed and the Bargaining Committee agreed to conciliation, while still planning for potential job action.
The Essential Services Agreement needed to be signed off by the employer and then will be filed with the Manitoba Labour Board.
The Province notified the employer about a funding increase for CFS agency operations across Manitoba. A portion of this funding will be provided to Michif Child and Family 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 these layoffs, 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.