Last month, the MGEU Board of Directors voted to trigger representation votes in each of the three rural health care regions where the MGEU has a stake: the newly-formed Western, Southern, and Interlake-Eastern RHAs.
With these new RHA amalgamations taking shape, the MGEU felt it was the best time for health care support members to choose their union representation going forward.
The other union involved in this vote, CUPE Manitoba, applied last week to the Manitoba Labour Board to call a vote in the newly formed Southern Health region (formerly the Central and Southeastman RHAs). Then yesterday, CUPE applied for a vote in the Western Health region (formerly the Assiniboine, Brandon and Parkland RHAs). Today, the MGEU made the final vote official by applying for a vote in the Interlake-Eastern Health region (formerly Interlake and North Eastman).
The next step for everyone involved is to attend vote planning meetings for each of the three votes. That is where the Manitoba Labour Board will determine the voting schedule and iron out the details on how the votes will take place. MGEU representatives will be in the communities and workplaces affected by these votes to show all union members involved why the MGEU is the best choice for health care support service members.
Find out why the MGEU is the best union for you - 5 things to know about the MGEU (pdf)
How a Representation Vote Works
All of the parties involved (the unions representing members of the bargaining unit and the employers) can apply to the Manitoba Labour Board requesting a representation vote when there are two or more unions who represent members in the same job classification in one workplace.
When the vote’s been called, all other parties are given notice and, if they so choose, a chance to dispute the rationale behind calling the vote. If and when all parties agree to a vote, the Labour Board calls a vote planning meeting for everyone involved. The Labour Board sets the dates and locations as well as the ground rules for everyone to follow leading up to the vote.
The unions involved usually then embark on campaigns to show their members and prospective members why they are the best union. Every member of the affected bargaining units is given a ballot to choose the union they want to represent their interests. The union who wins the vote then represents all of the members and usually heads to the bargaining table with the employer(s) to merge the old agreements into one new agreement.