Striking MPI workers to vote on new offer Monday

Striking MPI workers are voting on a new offer from the Crown corporation even though the union says it is disappointed by the proposal.

The Manitoba General Employees’ Union (MGEU) says its members employed by Manitoba Public Insurance (MPI) will vote on a new employer offer Monday.

The latest offer comes after the Kinew government changed MPI’s board as the strike has now gone on for two months.

It would see workers get around three per cent raises annually over four years with an $1,800 signing bonus.

MPI says it is pleased the union took the offer to its membership.

However, MGEU President Kyle Ross says while this offer is better than previous ones, he is disappointed and frustrated by the proposal, and is not making a recommendation on how members should vote.

“Wab Kinew our Premier said he’d have our members' back, and we’re not seeing it, and we’re not feeling it right now,” said Ross.

The Premier was asked about the union’s remarks but Kinew declined comment until the voting process was complete.

If the offer is ratified, the nearly two-month-long strike that began Aug. 28 would end.

MPI members will vote on the new offer between noon and 6 p.m. with results to be announced Monday evening.