Last night, a majority of MPI members provided a decisive rejection of MPI’s final contract offer.
Early this morning, the bargaining committee representing MPI members met to discuss the options available. They asked the employer to return to the bargaining table and the Corporation has accepted. Negotiations will resume Tuesday, October 30.
“From the beginning [of negotiations], we’ve made our intentions clear that getting a fair deal for our members was our goal. Every bargaining committee’s goal is to reach a deal, not an impasse, not to go on strike. Now that the members have rejected it [the offer], we want to go back to the table and let Management know what our members’ concerns are with this offer,” says Bargaining Committee Chairperson Doug Eyres. “If Management can present us with something that addresses these concerns, then we will bring it back to the membership.”
During the vote, MPI released a financial statement showing a net income of $21.2 million for the six months ending August 31, 2012. And yet, the employer’s offer included a two-year wage and benefits freeze for all employees.
“The members have sent a clear message to the employer that this offer doesn’t meet their needs, says MGEU President Michelle Gawronsky. “As an employee, it’s hard to swallow a wage freeze when you know your employer is still making a lot of money.”
The bargaining committee knows members are concerned and have questions about what is happening. As new information is available, the Committee will be sending updates to members’ personal e-mail addresses.