Tentative Agreement provides General Wage Increases Across the Board
MGEU liquor workers (Locals 56-61) have reached a tentative agreement with Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries that, if ratified by members, would end the strike that began five weeks ago.
Details of the tentative agreement were shared with members at an information session this morning (another session is scheduled for Saturday, August 26). All members of the bargaining unit will receive wage increases of approximately 12% or more over four years, which is why the Local 56-61 Bargaining Committee is recommending members accept the tentative agreement.
“We said from the beginning that our members’ priority was achieving fair wage increases that help all members keep up with the rising cost of living,” said MGEU President Kyle Ross. “By providing our members with wage increases of 12% or more over four years, this agreement delivers on that priority.”
The Strike began on July 19 with targeted job action, followed by a full strike which started on August 8. Voting on the tentative agreement opened today at noon and continues until Sunday, August 27 at noon. All MGEU picket lines at MBLL locations have come down until voting by members is completed.
“Our goal was to get an offer at the bargaining table that we could recommend to our members. By providing wage increases of 12% or more over 4 years, this agreement accomplishes that - significantly improving on the 2% per year wage mandate initially proposed by the government,” added Ross. “Our bargaining committee is recommending that members accept this agreement, but ultimately it is the members who will decide.”
Details about voting and information sessions are available for Local 56-61 members in the Latest Bargaining News.
Backgrounder: Wage Increases in Tentative Settlement with MBLL (PDF)
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