Union members ratify deal, the 10-week MPI strike is over

After several months of negotiation, the MPI strike is officially over.  

On Wednesday MGEU members from Manitoba Public Insurance voted overwhelmingly to accept the tentative settlement that was reached on Tuesday. The new collective agreement will provide all members with wage increases of at least 13% over 4 years. 

“We always wanted our members to have a vote on their new contract, and today they got their opportunity to do just that,” said President Ross.  “It’s been a tough round of bargaining and strike action stretching from summer into fall, but our members stood their ground to achieve the fairness they deserved all along.”  

The workers have been on strike since late August when the previous Progressive Conservative government was still in office. The job action impacted a variety of services including driver testing and claims assessments. 

According to MGEU, one of the highlights of this new deal is a lump sum signing bonus of $1,800 per full-time employee that is pro-rated for part-time employees.  

Members will also receive two weeks of recognition pay to acknowledge the three weeks of striking that took place during the election and government transition in which no negotiations were possible. 

The new collective agreement retroactively goes back to September 2022 and extends through to September 2026. 

“Our members are keen to get back to work helping Manitobans,” Ross added. “We ask the public to have patience with members as they work to ramp up services.” 

According to Manitoba Public Insurance, they will begin restoring full services for customers across the province on Friday, November 3rd.  

“I am pleased that we have been able to resolve the labour dispute with an agreement that is both fair for employees and responsible to our ratepayers,” said Carmen Nedohin, MPI Board Chair. “This has been a difficult time for MPI employees and our customers. I look forward to working with leadership to rebuild the culture of the organization while we restore services for communities across the province.”  

With employees returning to work on Friday, MPI locations will reopen to the public at 1:00 p.m. with the majority of regular services available.