Thousands of support workers employed by Prairie Mountain Health and the Interlake-Eastern health authority are being urged to reject a contract offer and vote for a strike mandate.
Kyle Ross, president of the Manitoba Government and General Employees’ Union, said the bargaining committee has recommended its 6,600 members turn down the offer.
The union has demanded better wages and the phasing out of private-agency employees used to address the chronic staff shortage.
JOHN WOODS / FREE PRESS FILES
Kyle Ross, president of the Manitoba Government and General Employees’ Union, said the bargaining committee has recommended its 6,600 members turn down the offer.
“The bargaining committee feels we need to tell the employer that community and facility support workers should get the same respect and consideration that has been shown to other health care professionals,” Ross said.
“Throughout bargaining, we have been committed to achieving the best deal possible — one that ensures fairness for community and facility support workers, and that provides a real fix to the health-care staffing crisis. Unfortunately, what is being offered does not go nearly far enough to solve the recruitment and retention issues.”
He said the contract offer would do nothing to alleviate the staff shortage and dependency on private staff.
As of Thursday, there were more than 700 vacant aide and home care positions open in the two health authorities.
In addition, spending on private agency staffing has soared to $30 million in the past year from $8.3 million in 2021.
Interlake-Eastern has said it has several initiatives to retain and recruit staff, including an uncertified health-care aide training program that graduated 50 people last year. Prairie Mountain has said it also has programs, including practicums in facilities and it has hired internationally trained nurses.
The support workers include aides, dietary staff, laundry, housekeeping, maintenance and other positions.
The union didn’t say when the vote would take place, but said it would hold online information sessions with members over the next few weeks.
kevin.rollason@freepress.mb.ca
Kevin Rollason
Reporter
Kevin Rollason is a general assignment reporter at the Free Press. He graduated from Western University with a Masters of Journalism in 1985 and worked at the Winnipeg Sun until 1988, when he joined the Free Press. He has served as the Free Press’s city hall and law courts reporter and has won several awards, including a National Newspaper Award. Read more about Kevin.
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