Liquor Mart workers to return to work as strike action continues
Manitoba Liquor Mart workers will return to work on Monday as strike action continues across the province.
On Sunday, the Manitoba Government and General Employees’ Union (MGEU) announced that there’s been no movement in negotiations, and that strike action will continue into the week ahead.
The union said that all MGEU members at liquor stores will return to work on Monday, while workers at the distribution centre and head office will remain on strike until 7 a.m. All members of the bargaining unit will also refuse overtime.
As part of the strike action, MGEU members at liquor stores will not perform the following duties:
- Receiving inventory from suppliers or distributors;
- Reviewing pallet sheets;
- Identifying product distribution for shelf stocking or warehousing;
- Signing off of receivables;
- Updating X-Store; and
- Disassembling or dismantling pallets.
In a statement, MGEU president Kyle Ross said these workers know they deserve a fair wage increase that keeps up with the high cost of living. Ross added that liquor workers have a starting wage of $14.91, while the minimum wage is increasing to $15.30 an hour this fall.
“Premier Stefanson is sticking to her restrictive wage mandate, rather than direct MBLL to bargain a fair deal matching the annual 3.3%, 3.6%, and 3.6% raises she has given herself,” he said.
“I will remind Premier Stefanson that her government’s heavy-handed legislation forced liquor workers to take annual wage increases of 0%, 0%, 0.75%, and 1% in their last contract. The cost of living spiked to nearly 8% in last year alone.”
In a statement, MBLL said it met with the MGEU and the conciliator on Sunday and that discussions were “productive.” MBLL added that it made an offer for the two parties to continue negotiations while halting the work stoppage, but said the MGEU declined to stop any strike actions.
The Crown corporation also said it asked the union to provide earlier notice in the day of upcoming strike actions, and says the MGEU has not yet responded.
"We are dismayed that the MGEU continues resorting to these tactics without regard for the way it complicates all Manitobans, including their own members’, ability to make summer plans,” said an MBLL spokesperson.
“Both of MBLL’s proposals offered a path to minimizing the ongoing impact on our customers, on hundreds of small Manitoba businesses, and on our valued employees while working our way to a mutually beneficial resolution.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Conservatives, NDP should be 'celebrating' EV deals: industry minister
Industry Minister François-Philippe Champagne says federal opposition parties should be 'celebrating' the recently announced electric vehicle deals, despite their criticisms the Liberals refuse to make public the terms and conditions laid out in the contracts.
$500K-worth of elvers seized at Toronto airport
Fishery and border service officers seized more than 100 kilograms of unauthorized elvers at the Toronto Pearson International Airport on Wednesday.
Banking mogul suing government after intelligence leaks leave him shut out of Canadian economy
Chinese Canadian banking mogul Shenglin Xian has launched a $300 million lawsuit against the federal government. It’s a means to find the source of intelligence leaks which Xian says has cost him his livelihood.
His SUV was stolen on Montreal's South Shore. Then he got a $156 parking ticket
A couple is frustrated after their SUV was stolen from Montreal's South Shore in March and they received a parking ticket for the same vehicle last week.
Woman with liver failure rejected for a transplant after medical review highlights alcohol use
For nearly three months, Amanda Huska has been in an Ontario hospital, part of it on life support, because of severe liver failure. Her history of alcohol use is getting in the way of her only potential treatment: a liver transplant.
Box tree moths have infested Ontario and experts say more are coming. Here's what to do to protect your garden
An invasive moth species is on the rise in Canada and, if you've planted a certain shrub, it could stand to ruin your garden.
Evacuation orders lifted in Fort McMurray Saturday as rain dampens wildfire activity
Residents of Fort of McMurray who were displaced over wildfire concerns were told to return home Saturday.
To plant or not to plant? Gardening tips for May long weekend
May long weekend is finally here, and with the extra time off you may be getting the itch to head out to your garden and plant. However, the old debate whether you should plant now, or wait, is still ever-present.
Sean 'Diddy' Combs abuse allegations: A timeline of key events
In the six months since singer Cassie filed a lawsuit against Sean Combs, a wave of similar cases and public allegations against one of the most influential music moguls of the past three decades have occurred.