Civil Service Bargaining Committee Reaches Tentative Agreement with Province

Updated January 19, 2024

On Friday, January 12, 2024, MGEU’s Civil Service Bargaining Committee and Civil Service Corrections Bargaining Committee reached tentative agreements with the Province of Manitoba. The Committees are recommending acceptance of both offers. Now, it's up to members to vote on the offers.

Votes on the tentative agreement will be cast electronically (online) or by phone between January 23, 2024 at 7:30 pm and January 29, 2024 at 1:30 pm.

“We are pleased that our bargaining committees were able to reach agreements that will help all civil service members catch up and keep up with the rising cost of living,” said MGEU President Kyle Ross.

The union is holding online information sessions about the tentative agreements with members on January 23 and 24.

The Corrections Info sessions will be held at 5:00 pm both evenings and the Civil Service (GEMA) Info sessions will be held at 6:30 pm both evenings.

Then, approximately 11,500 Civil Service members will have an opportunity to vote on whether or not to ratify the new collective agreements.

“A 30% vacancy rate in the Civil Service is strangling provincial public services, leaving Manitobans waiting longer for less,” said Ross. “These agreements will help fix the Civil Service staffing crisis by improving the Province’s ability to recruit and retain the skilled workers it needs to deliver the quality public services that Manitobans count on.”

Voting information and details about the offers are being shared with members of the bargaining units via email and in the mail. Here are highlights from the Civil Service (GEMA) tentative agreement:

A four-year agreement -- March 25, 2023 through to March 19, 2027;
Members employed for the duration of the agreement would see their wages increase by approximately 14% over four years. In many cases, depending on classification and years of service, wage increases will exceed 14%. These increases are achieved by the following:
1. General wage increases of 2.5% (2023), 2.75% (2024), 3% (2025) and 3% (2026);
2. Addition of a new step (an additional 2.5%) at the top of each wage scale, and advancement of all members to the next step of their wage scale, effective October 7, 2023;
3. A consequent increase to the 20-year long service step (to maintain the 2% differential), effective October 7, 2023;
4. Addition of a new 25-year long service step (effective March 23, 2024);

A one-time lump-sum signing bonus of $1,800 per full-time employee ($900 for part-time employees);
Improvements to member health benefits;
An amount equivalent to 1.4% of payroll would be allocated to provide additional wage increases for classifications experiencing serious recruitment and retention challenges;
Legal indemnification for members who face legal proceedings as a result of their work.

“I want to thank and congratulate our bargaining committees for their months of hard work and commitment to reach these settlements,” Ross added.

View the Civil Service (GEMA) Highlight Sheet (pdf)

Civil Service Bargaining Committee Reaches Tentative Agreement with Province

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