MGEU Calls for End to Public Sector Wage Double Standard at Rally for Fairness

Oct 17, 2023

Joined by representatives from the Manitoba Federation of Labour and affiliated unions, MGEU members rallied at the Manitoba legislature today for an end to the double standard where elected provincial politicians are taking wage increases pegged to the five-year moving average of Manitoba’s inflation rate while insisting that provincial workers take much less.

“It’s not fair for elected politicians to take wages that help them keep up with the soaring cost of living while they ask their workers to take much less,” MGEU President Kyle Ross said. “It’s time to end the double standard and bring fairness to provincial workplaces.”

Today’s Rally for Fairness comes as MGEU members who work at Manitoba Public Insurance (MPI) enter their eighth week of a strike for fair wage increases that help all members keep up with rising inflation.

Speakers at the Rally for Fairness included:

· Christa Simard, MPI worker;

· Kevin Rebeck, President of the Manitoba Federation of Labour (MFL); and

· Kyle Ross, MGEU President.

“MPI workers deserve fair wages and this strike has gone on too long,” said MFL President Kevin Rebeck. “It’s time to end this strike with a fair deal.”

MGEU President Ross noted that the formula that determines wage increases for all provincial MLAs provided them with a 3.3% wage increase this year, and is projected to provide them with wage increases of 3.6% in each of the next two years. These projections are based on forecasts from the Manitoba Bureau of Statistics.

The latest wage offer from MPI would leave more than 1/3 of its workforce with average wage increases of just 2.25%/year for four years.

“The incoming government didn’t create the public sector wage double standard,” added Ross. “Now it will have an opportunity to restore fairness by ending it.”

MPI Local 62-68 members should go to the Latest Bargaining News for the most recent bargaining updates emailed to members and details about picketing.

MGEU Calls for End to Public Sector Wage Double Standard at Rally for Fairness

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