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MGEU members at Red River College prepare for restructuring vote

All members of Local 73 are encouraged to review the question & answer sheet, attend an information session, and discuss the vote with their co-workers and their elected leadership in order to make an informed decision before casting a ballot.

Winnipeg (30 Sept. 2016) — From October 25 to 27, members of the Manitoba Government and General Employees' Union (MGEU/NUPGE) who work at Red River College will be voting to determine the union’s position to establish 2 separate bargaining units: one for instructors, and one for support services staff. If the vote result is in favour of 2 bargaining units, the union would take the next initial step by approaching the College to move forward.

MGEU/NUPGE members to decide composition of bargaining units

Currently, Local 73 is a single bargaining unit comprised of all MGEU/NUPGE members at the college. There is one collective agreement and members bargain with the employer at one bargaining table. But at times over the years, the merits of restructuring the bargaining unit into 2 separate groups have been discussed. A similar vote was held in 2008, but the support expressed by the membership did not meet the threshold established at the time to take the next steps.

The issue was raised again by a group of instructors this year, with a proposal to create a separate bargaining unit for RRC instructors. A motion was subsequently passed at a June 2016 Local meeting, calling for a membership vote this October.

Six information meetings provide MGEU/NUPGE members opportunity to ask questions

The first of 6 information meetings about this restructuring vote was held on September 26. All members of Local 73 are encouraged to review the question & answer sheet, attend an information session, and discuss the vote with their co-workers and their elected leadership in order to make an informed decision before casting a ballot.

The union is making no recommendation in this vote. It is important that members of Local 73 decide for themselves. 

NUPGE

The National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) is one of Canada's largest labour organizations with over 360,000 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