The Court of Queen's Bench has set 14 court dates in the legal challenge of the Pallister government's wage freeze legislation (Bill 28: The Public Service Sustainability Act). The legal challenge is being mounted by the MGEU along with 28 other unions in the Partnership to Defend Public Services (PDPS).
The court dates will begin on November 18, 2019 running through to December 5, 2019.
“MGEU is a proud member of the PDPS. We strongly believe the government is overstepping when trying to dictate wages to our members and others across Manitoba,” said MGEU President Michelle Gawronsky. “Our members deserve to be treated fairly and with respect. By denying them the right to collectively bargain, the government is infringing on their constitutional rights.”
PDPS lawyers, Garth Smorang and Shannon Carson of Myers LLP, will be arguing that the legislation is unconstitutional and takes the right of collective bargaining away from hard working Manitobans.
Bill 28 was introduced in the Manitoba Legislature on March 20, 2017 and was passed into law on June 1, 2017. Essentially it dictates wages prior to even starting the collective bargaining process. The mandate of the bill includes:
- A two-year wage freeze;
- A maximum increase of .75% to the rate of pay in year three of a collective agreement; and
- A maximum increase of 1.0% to the rate of pay in year four of a collective agreement.
The PDPS represents over 110,000 workers in Manitoba.
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July 4, 2017: MGEU, partners file for injunction against Bill 28
March 20, 2017: Premier Announces Legislation to Freeze, Cap Wages in Public Sector