• The Source
  • Accessibility
  • Join MGEU
  • Get a Membership Card
  • Update Your Information
  • Contact Us

MGEU

  • A+
  • A=
  • A-
  •  
  •  
  •  
  • The North

    The North
  • Prairie Farm

    Prairie Farm
  • Brandon Skyline

    Brandon Skyline
  • Provencher Bridge and Skyline

    Provencher Bridge and Skyline

Putting People First

About Us > For Members > News & Multimedia >
  • Home
    • Terms of Use
    • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
    • Who we are, what we do
    • Our Mission
    • Our Components and Locals
    • Our Leadership
      • Board of Directors
      • Standing Committees
        • Constitution, Bylaw & Structure
        • Finance
        • Grievance & Appeals
        • Equality & Human Rights
        • Membership Education
        • Pension & Benefits
        • Safety, Health & Environment
        • Technological Change
        • Women’s Committee
        • Young Members’ Committee
    • Our Office Locations
      • Head Office
      • Regional Offices
    • Our Constitution and Policies
    • MGEU Contracts
    • Member Profiles
    • Our History
    • Join the MGEU
    • Employment Opportunities
    • Accessibility
  • For Members
    • New Member Orientation
    • Get a Membership Card
    • Find Your Local / Contract
    • Bargaining for Beginners
    • Member Discounts
    • Become an MGEU Workplace Rep
    • Workplace Safety and Health
    • Dealing with a Problem at Work
    • Employee Assistance Programs
    • Scholarships and Bursaries
    • MGEU RRSP TFSA
    • The MGEU Store
    • Links
    • Update Your Information
    • Meetings & Events Calendar
    • COVID-19
      • COVID-19 FAQs
  • News & Multimedia
    • News
    • At the Bargaining Table
    • Publications
      • Bargaining Bulletins
      • Component Newsletters
      • 5-minute Updates
      • Reports
      • Posters
    • Union Bug - the MGEU Blog
    • Media Downloads
    • MGEU Convention
      • Who Can Attend?
      • When and Where
      • Convention Resolutions
      • Convention FAQs
      • Candidates for Election
      • Convention Highlights
    • Campaigns
  • Contact Us
The Source
  • Latest News
  • Find Your Local/Contract
  • New Member Orientation
  • At The Bargaining Table
  • Member Discounts
  • Meetings/Events Calendar
  • The Source

Government Announces Risk Recognition Program for Some Essential Workers

Jun 02, 2020

The Pallister government has announced its Risk Recognition Payment Program (aka pandemic pay or wage top-up). The government says the program “will provide a one-time, income-tested payment to eligible low-income front-line workers, with consideration given to the added risk due to COVID-19 and interaction with the public including clients, patients and inmates.” The federal government is providing 75% of the funding for this program; the remainder is funded by the province.

“Along with fourteen other labour, business, and community organizations, the MGEU was part of the government’s consultation process and we took the position that as many workers as possible who have worked through the pandemic should be eligible,” said MGEU President Michelle Gawronsky. “We made it clear that the program should not have an income cut-off because that would exclude so many who’ve been working hard on the frontlines and behind the scenes throughout this COVID crisis.” In the end, however, no consensus was reached and the government chose an option that will distribute $120 million in one-time payments to lower-income essential workers.

“We are disappointed the program is not more far-reaching,” Gawronsky said. “But we will certainly be encouraging all MGEU members who may be eligible — including many government community workers, home care attendants, Liquor Mart clerks, health care aides, and staff at community agencies who provide social services to at-risk youth and families — to apply.”

No matter who receives the payments, however, such programs are no substitute for fair collective bargaining, she added.

“Most public workers who have been on-the-job through the pandemic are working under expired contracts. What we really need is for the Pallister government to show respect for public workers by getting to the bargaining table and dealing fairly with those who provide our services.”

More about the Risk Recognition Program

  • The government has estimated that each worker eligible for the program will receive a one-time payment of $1,167.
  • The program will be application-based. Workers will need to apply online.
  • Workers who received the CERB will not be eligible.
  • To be eligible, workers need to have worked at least 200 hours between March 20 – May 29, 2020.
  • To be eligible, workers need to have earned less than $6,250 in gross income between March 20 – May 29, 2020.
  • The full list of eligible positions and organizations is available on the Manitoba government website.
  • Online applications will be accepted starting Wednesday, June 3. The application deadline is June 18 and the province will issue payments via direct deposit once it verifies applications.

Return to Article List

Manitoba Government and General Employees' Union

IN WINNIPEG 204-982-MGEU(6438) • Toll-Free 1-866-982-MGEU(6438) • resourcecentre@mgeu.ca

  • Home
    • Terms of Use
    • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
    • Who we are, what we do
    • Our Mission
    • Our Components and Locals
    • Our Leadership
    • Our Office Locations
    • Our Constitution and Policies
    • MGEU Contracts
    • Member Profiles
    • Our History
    • Join the MGEU
    • Employment Opportunities
    • Accessibility
  • For Members
    • New Member Orientation
    • Get a Membership Card
    • Find Your Local / Contract
    • Bargaining for Beginners
    • Member Discounts
    • Become an MGEU Workplace Rep
    • Workplace Safety and Health
    • Dealing with a Problem at Work
    • Employee Assistance Programs
    • Scholarships and Bursaries
    • MGEU RRSP TFSA
    • The MGEU Store
    • Links
    • Update Your Information
    • Meetings & Events Calendar
    • COVID-19
  • News & Multimedia
    • News
    • At the Bargaining Table
    • Publications
    • Union Bug - the MGEU Blog
    • Media Downloads
    • MGEU Convention
    • Campaigns
  • Contact Us
  • youtube
  • facebook
  • twitter

© 2021 MGEU