1 week Ago By By Michele McDougall
The president of the Manitoba Government and General Employees Union was in Brandon Wednesday morning in a show of solidarity with striking workers from Michif Child and Family Services. Read this article for free: Already have an account? As we navigate through unprecedented times, our journalists are working harder than ever to bring you the latest local updates to keep you safe and informed. Now, more than ever, we need your support.
Starting at $15.99 plus taxes every four weeks you can access your Brandon Sun online and full access to all content as it appears on our website. or call circulation directly at (204) 727-0527.
Your pledge helps to ensure we provide the news that matters most to your community! The president of the Manitoba Government and General Employees Union was in Brandon Wednesday morning in a show of solidarity with striking workers from Michif Child and Family Services. Read unlimited articles for free today: Already have an account? The president of the Manitoba Government and General Employees Union was in Brandon Wednesday morning in a show of solidarity with striking workers from Michif Child and Family Services. “We’re trying to support these workers as best we can in these difficult times,” Kyle Ross told the Sun.
“It’s not easy being on the picket line, but when your employer is treating you unfairly, sometimes that’s your only option.” About 25 MGEU members from Michif Child and Family Services in the Wheat City are part of a strike that began last Tuesday, which also includes workers from the Métis Child, Family and Community Services. MGEU president Kyle Ross talks with one of about two dozen employees of Michif Child and Family Services in Brandon who are on strike.
(Michele McDougall/The Brandon Sun) The contracts expired in January 2023 for about 330 employees from the two agencies that are represented by the union. On Wednesday morning, half a dozen striking workers stood outside the Brandon office at 141 Rosser Ave. with signs that said, “SAME WORK, SAME PAY!” and “WE ARE NOT PAWNS — HONK 4 EQUAL PAY.
” Brandon employees have been working with “zero raises for the last two years,” Ross said, adding that workers in Winnipeg who are doing the same job are making more money. Child welfare workers employed by the provincial civil service earn from $32.96 to $46.
87 per hour, while Métis CFS workers make from $31.42 to $43.56 per hour and Michif CFS earn $31.
31 to $43.42 per hour. The civil service wage is scheduled to increase by three per cent this year, which isn’t reflected in the current offer for Métis and Michif CFS staff.
MGEU said the Manitoba Métis Federation’s current contract offer would pay Métis CFS workers $2.06 less per hour and Michif CFS would earn $2.85 less per hour.
“A lot of times, workers will strike on things like health and safety, but this time, honestly, it’s wage parity,” said Ross. “These workers will be left behind with this offer on the table. They’ll be $3 an hour behind their counterparts and those are counterparts who do the same work in Winnipeg and other agencies,” he said.
“It’s not an easy job, and this is putting them in an unfair situation where they’ve taken the same education and doing the same work, so they should be treated as equal.” Ross said the wage disparity creates issues, adding workers will leave jobs at smaller agencies like the Métis and Michif CFS in order to land bigger paycheques. “This strike is almost halfway through Week 2,” Ross said, “so it’s really important that we get this resolved.
We keep hoping we can get back to the bargaining table, but unfortunately, the employer has not been joining us at the bargaining table yet.” After Ross’s stop at the Brandon picket line, he continued on to Dauphin, with another scheduled visit to Portage la Prairie. He has also been joining striking workers on the picket line in Winnipeg.
A strike can last 60 days before either side can apply for binding arbitration. A short while after that period ends, employees can be directed to return to work. Essential services are still being provided, which means about 50 per cent of employees are required to continue their work during the strike.
» [email protected], with files from Connor McDowell and the Winnipeg Free Press » enviromichele.bsky.
social Advertisement Advertisement.
