This week (June 7 - 10) MGEU members from Red River College and Assiniboine Community College cast their ballots to determine whether or not to provide their bargaining representatives with a strike mandate. Tonight the ballots were counted, and the result is an overwhelming majority of members voting in favour of strike action.
“The results of today’s vote sends a clear message to the employers that what they’ve presented to members thus far is an insufficient offer,” says MGEU President Peter Olfert.
For several months, members have been upset by the lack of progress at the bargaining table, particularly with respect to wages and health benefits. While the result of the vote does send a message to college management, there is still hope that an agreement can soon be reached with four days of bargaining scheduled throughout June.
“It’s not over yet. The next step for the committee is to return to the bargaining table and work to reach a fair and reasonable settlement,” says Olfert.
If that doesn’t happen, then the bargaining committee – representing approximately 1,600 employees throughout the province – will have the option of setting a strike date.