August 22 2024

Ottawa – The National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) is standing in solidarity with health care support workers in Manitoba who have been left behind for far too long.

Members of the Manitoba Government and General Employees’ Union (MGEU/NUPGE) working at Prairie Mountain Health and Interlake-Eastern Regional Health Authority have voted to reject the inadequate offer from their employers, placing them in a potential strike position. 

“A fair contract is the bare minimum that employers and the Manitoba government must offer to begin addressing the serious issues plaguing the health care system in the province,” said NUPGE President Bert Blundon. “These health care support workers are the backbone of the care teams that Manitobans rely on every day. Their dedication was nothing short of heroic during the pandemic, and now it’s our turn to listen to them in the workplace and at the bargaining table, to help bring about much needed improvements in health care.” 

Blundon highlighted recent MGEU/NUPGE research showing that Manitoba’s health care support workers are the lowest paid in Canada. Starting pay for critical roles such as Housekeeping Aides, Laundry Aides, Dietary Aides, Cleaners, and Maintenance Workers is shockingly low, ranking last among all provinces. 

He said health care professionals, who represent over a third of NUPGE’s membership, have clearly identified worker shortages as a key factor driving the current health care crisis. “Dealing with this crisis must begin with fairness—paying the workers fairly and treating them with respect is not only the right thing to do, it’s critical for recruitment, retention, and long-term planning.”  

NUPGE is calling on the employers and the Manitoba government to step up, and return to the bargaining table with a fair offer.