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'It is the GOLICO bargaining committee’s hope that the employer will come to the table and negotiate a collective agreement rather than force the members into taking action.' - MGEU.
Winnipeg (1 Sept. 2009) - Employees of the Manitoba Liquor Control Commission (MLCC) have voted 84% to strike if necessary to reach a fair contract.
The employees are represented by the government liquor commission (GOLICO) Component of the Manitoba Government and General Employees' Union (MGEU/NUPGE).
A province-wide vote was conducted over the weekend and the results were announced on Monday. Talks between the union and the commission resume between the two sides Tuesday.
"It is the GOLICO bargaining committee’s hope that the employer will come to the table and negotiate a collective agreement rather than force the members into taking action," MGEU says.
"What was made clear at the local meetings held yesterday evening is that members are prepared to take action if the Employer does not begin earnestly discussing the issues on the table."
As was previously reported, after 30 days of negotiations, the GOLICO bargaining committee and the MLCC bargaining committee still had made no meaningful progress. The commission refused to take members' proposals seriously and, to make matters worse, had introduced several unacceptable concessionary demands.
"The (MGEU) bargaining committee’s goal from day one was to bargain a new contract without resorting to any work disruptions or stoppages. However, the committee determined that the only way to have their proposals taken seriously was to get a strike mandate from the membership," the union notes.
"Getting a strike mandate from the membership is important for two main reasons. It lets management know that GOLICO members want their proposals taken seriously and it gives the bargaining committee the authority to plan strike action if management continues to drag their heels during negotiations without having to go back to the membership for another vote."
NUPGE
The National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) is one of Canada's largest labour organizations with over 340,000 members. Our mission is to improve the lives of working families and to build a stronger Canada by ensuring our common wealth is used for the common good. NUPGE
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Manitoba liquor employees taking strike vote