Yesterday, the MGEU applied to the Manitoba Labour Board to have an independent arbitrator resolve the ongoing contract disputes with Michif Child and Family Services (CFS) and Métis Child, Family and Community Services (CFCS).
On March 25, 2025, more than 300 members at these two CFS Agencies began a strike for wage parity with provincial workers who do the same work. MGEU argues that essential services requirements, particularly when combined with the staff layoffs that took effect April 3, leave members without a meaningful right to strike.
“We believe that essential services should be provided, but when that compromises our members’ meaningful right to strike, the best way to get a resolution may be through arbitration,” MGEU President Kyle Ross said.
Under recent amendments to The Labour Relations Act (section 94.5), a union may ask the Manitoba Labour Board to order that a labour dispute be resolved through arbitration if it believes the requirement to perform essential services meaningfully compromises the right to strike and the right to collective bargaining.
“With these employers laying off 20% of staff on April 3, the number of staff remaining in some areas will fall to essential service levels, said Ross. “That leaves our members with little ability to exercise their right to strike in a way that will have any real impact on the employers’ operations.”
Both agency collective agreements expired on January 31, 2023. Under those agreements, new wage increases retroactive to the start of the next agreement may only be payable to members employed when a new agreement is ratified, potentially excluding staff being laid off today.
“The money for wage parity is there. It looks like these employers are intentionally dragging out the strike to avoid paying wage increases that these dedicated CFS workers have earned over the past two years,” Ross said.
Provincial funding increases for CFS agencies have exceeded 14% over the past three years, including more than $2 million in new funding in last month’s budget.
MGEU notified both CFS Agencies of its intention to file at the Labour Board in a letter yesterday.