On October 18, 2024 MGEU Community and Facility Support health care members working in Prairie Mountain Health and the Interlake-Eastern Regional Health Authority accepted a new four-year collective agreement with significant wage increases (averaging about 27% over four years).

It was an important first step in addressing the health care staffing crisis. Now it’s time for the government and health employers to take the next step, by ensuring we are able to attract and keep allied health professionals here in our province.

In recent years, staffing levels for these professionals – who provide specialized services, such as (but not limited to) speech therapy, respiratory therapy, audiology screening and assessment, nutrition and dietetic counseling, mental health services, midwifery services, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and public health education – often hasn't kept pace with the demands put upon them.

Shared Health has classified the shortage of many of these professionals as a risk to the Clinical and Preventative Services Plan (CPSP). With increased competition for the services of these trained workers across the country, it is essential they’re paid fairly to ensure they stay here in Manitoba.

Fixing health care is worth the investment, and the time to get started is NOW with fair wages for Manitoba’s allied health professionals.

Want to learn more? Read the MGEU's in-depth look at the staffing crisis and 10 recommendations to fix health care:
From Crisis to Stability - Fixing the Staffing Crisis in Manitoba’s Health Care System - REPORT