In the last few weeks, the MGEU has heard from several members who’ve expressed concern over the impending mergers involving the Manitoba Liquor Control Commission, Manitoba Lotteries and the Manitoba Gaming Control Commission.

The MGEU sent the employers the six most commonly asked questions their members asked about the mergers. Here are the questions and the employers' responses.

NOTE: a) Response applies to MLC/MLCC
b) Response applies to MGCC/MLCC

Q1:

What is meant and what positions are included when I hear people say that direct customer/front line service union positions will not be affected by the Mergers?

The Employers' Response:

a)References to the terms direct customer and front line services have been used in discussions related to defining the scope of where we will focus to identify business opportunities that can be achieved through the amalgamation of our organizations. Our initial focus is to review those areas of the business that are common to one another and will exclude direct customer/front line services.

b)References to the terms direct customer and front line services have been used in discussions related to defining the scope of where we will focus to identify opportunities that can be achieved through the amalgamation of our organizations. Our initial focus is to review those areas of commonality to one another.

Q2:

Will union positions in the corporate, administrative and common functional areas of the Manitoba Liquor Control Commission, Gaming Control Commission and Manitoba Lotteries Corporation be affected differently than direct customer/front line service union positions by the mergers?

The Employers' Response:

a)In merging our organizations, we are still accountable to deliver to our individual net profit goals for the province and plan to expand on the services we provide. Our intentions are to build on the strengths and successes of each organization to create a business that is more efficient and effective in meeting our customers’ business needs. It is expected that administrative efficiencies will be achieved without affecting the staffing and operations of direct customer/front-line services.

In the process of delivering and expanding on our goals and services combined with our already busy business activities, we will need to rely on the dedication and skills of all of our current employees in the corporate, administrative and common functional areas. It has been our history to not lay off employees and given the ongoing significant business activities for the merging corporations, we do not see this practice changing.

b)As we work to amalgamate services of a regulatory nature, we will continue to provide excellent service to Manitobans. Our intentions are to build on the strengths and successes of each organization that is more efficient and effective. Given the nature of our two organizations and our changing needs to serve our stakeholders and client base, there is no difference between the two groups. There will always be ongoing changes to positions as we look to enhance service, whether that is for internal or external clients.

Q3:

Is the Manitoba Liquor Control Commission being taken over by the Manitoba Lotteries Corporation?

The Employers' Response:

a)The amalgamation of the MLCC and MLC is not a takeover, but an opportunity to join together two successful operations and grow on the strengths of one another.

b)N/A

Q4:

Is the Regulatory Services Department of the Manitoba Liquor Control Commission being taken over by the Manitoba Gaming Control Commission?

The Employers' Response:

a)N/A

b)The amalgamation of MGCC and the MLCC Regulatory Services is a union of common regulatory functions that serve similar clients and purposes and is not considered a takeover. This will allow us to enhance our regulatory capabilities in the province.

Q5:

Will my union representation and bargaining unit change as a result of the mergers?
 

The Employers' Response:

a)Our individual organizations effectively operate with our respective bargaining agents in healthy Labour Relations environments. We will continue to honour each of our established Collective Agreements.

b)Our individual organizations effectively operate with our respective bargaining agents in healthy Labour Relations environments. We will continue to honour each of our established Collective Agreements while still in the early stages of the planned amalgamation and expect that in future this will be reviewed and discussed as we move forward.

Q6:

Will my pay and benefits change and will I lose my accrued service, seniority, sick leave and vacation as a result of the mergers?


The Employers' Response:

a)It is recognized that there are differences in the benefits and compensation structure offered to each organization’s employees. We are still in the early stages of the planned merger and expect that in future this will be reviewed and discussed on how we move forward as one. We will work with each individual bargaining agent to discuss any related matters.

b)It is recognized that there are differences in the benefits and compensation structure offered to MGCC and MLCC employees. We are still in the early stages of the planned amalgamation and expect that in future this will be reviewed and discussed on how we move forward. We will work with the Manitoba Government and General Employees’ Union to discuss matters.

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