MPI prepares for anticipated strike amid hail damage claims
Manitoba Public Insurance (MPI) is preparing for a potential strike as it deals with a high volume of insurance claims from last Thursday's hailstorm.
Close to 1,700 MPI employees who are part of the Manitoba Government and General Employees’ Union (MGEU) are slated to walk off the job Monday. MPI's most recent contract offer was rejected Friday as ongoing negotiations broke down.
This, as the public insurer receives hundreds of claims for hail damage caused by a violent thunderstorm Thursday evening.
"As of this morning, MPI has received over 1,500 hail claims since the storm in Winnipeg on Thursday night," said an email statement to CTV News Saturday.
The contact centre will be open extra hours to help accommodate the high demand. Anyone who still needs to open a claim can call 204-985–7000 or 1-800-665-2410 between 12 – 5 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 27.
MPI is preparing for the anticipated strike action coming Monday.
"Should strike action take place on Monday, customers with non-contentious collision claims will be referred directly to MPI-accredited repair shops for vehicle estimates and repairs," the statement said.
If there is a strike, MPI says its contact centre will stay open for reporting personal injury claims, non-drivable collision claims, and total-theft claims, but nothing else.
MPI's website says all front-end service transactions will be directed to private insurance brokers.
Essential services such as income replacement payments for personal injury claimants will continue uninterrupted.
MPI says all existing Autopac policies and driver's licences will stay valid through the strike period.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'Mayday! Mayday! Mayday!': Details emerge in Boeing 737 incident at Montreal airport
New details suggest that there were communication issues between the pilots of a charter flight and the control tower at Montreal's Mirabel airport when a Boeing 737 made an emergency landing on Wednesday.
Trudeau appears unwilling to expand proposed rebate, despite pressure to include seniors
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau does not appear willing to budge on his plan to send a $250 rebate to 'hardworking Canadians,' despite pressure from the opposition to give the money to seniors and people who are not able to work.
Hit man offered $100,000 to kill Montreal crime reporter covering his trial
Political leaders and press freedom groups on Friday were left shell-shocked after Montreal news outlet La Presse revealed that a hit man had offered $100,000 to have one of its crime reporters assassinated.
Cucumbers sold in Ontario, other provinces recalled over possible salmonella contamination
A U.S. company is recalling cucumbers sold in Ontario and other Canadian provinces due to possible salmonella contamination.
Trudeau says no question incoming U.S. president Trump is serious on tariff threat
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says incoming U.S. president Donald Trump's threats on tariffs should be taken seriously.
John Herdman resigns as head coach of Toronto FC
John Herdman, embroiled in the drone-spying scandal that has dogged Canada Soccer, has resigned as coach of Toronto FC.
Billboard apologizes to Taylor Swift for video snafu
Billboard put together a video of some of Swift’s achievements and used a clip from Kanye West’s music video for the song “Famous.”
In a shock offensive, insurgents breach Syria's largest city for the first time since 2016
Insurgents breached Syria's largest city Friday and clashed with government forces for the first time since 2016, according to a war monitor and fighters, in a surprise attack that sent residents fleeing and added fresh uncertainty to a region reeling from multiple wars.
Canada Bread owner sues Maple Leaf over alleged bread price-fixing
Canada Bread owner Grupo Bimbo is suing Maple Leaf Foods for more than $2 billion, saying it lied about the company's involvement in an alleged bread price-fixing conspiracy.