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June 23, 2023
Dear Member;
On May 30th/2023, the bargaining Committee informed the corporation regarding the failed ratification of the final offer with 87% of the membership voting to REJECT. Prior to the May 30th rejection of the final offer, the corporation suggested use of a single mediator/conciliator, but IBEW was not comfortable with (Arne Peltz) based on his public comments regarding UMFA. See the link https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/university-manitoba-faculty-strike-1.6264372. On June16th, IBEW officially received approval to proceed with Strike actions with full support from Our IVP (Russ Shewchuck) and our International President (Kenneth W. Cooper).
On June 19th, IBEW met with Manitoba Hydro, in an effort to come to a consensus on an Emergency Services Agreement. We have and continue to be committed to maintaining our Volunteer Emergency Response Crews and Emergency Medical Services that serve to protect members of the public, as well as over 45 Billion of Manitoba Hydro and Province of Manitoba’s assets. On June 23rd (16:30 Today), we have not yetreached a reasonable ESA agreement.
As previously communicated in a member update on June 9/2023, it is extremely concerning that amidst IBEW bargaining and potential labour action, Manitoba Hydro seems pre-occupied with Executive Salary increases and bonuses. Manitoba Hydro (with approval from gov’t) has elected to use some of the over $700,000,000 (million) in Net Profit for 2022-23 to award SEVERAL MILLIONS in non-negotiated bonuses to approximately 2000 employees consisting of all the Highest Salaries at Manitoba Hydro (Executives/Corporate Exempt/Management/Professional Engineers/Supervisors). These bonuses include additional increases up to 1.75% and lump sum bonuses of 1.25%, as well as 2 extra days (.84% bonus) vacation days (see below). Staff with questions or in need of more information, contact Total Rewards at totalrewards@hydro.mb.ca
- Recently, the Manitoba Hydro executive team approved a paygrade adjustment (raises to the top end of all salaries) of 1.75% for Corporate Exempt employees and 1.5% for AMHSSE employees effective March 30, 2023.
- Corporate Exempt employees will receive a one-time lump sum payment equivalent to 1.25% of their April 1, 2023 salary. Additionally, AMHSSE employees will have 15.84 hours of vacation added to their current year’s vacation allotment.
IBEW’s Bargaining committee has been extremely patient as we continue to wait for the corporation to respond with future bargaining dates or come back with a reasonable offer. As a response to the Corporation failing to bargain in good faith, here are some of the next steps:
- In the hours and days ahead, we will be meeting with MGEU and other stakeholders to discuss future communication strategies and possible future coordinated efforts.
- IBEW is currently in a position and intends to deliver 48-hr strike notification within the next 7 days.
- IBEW is currently working on Picket line captain communication and resources that will be shared next week (Stay tuned).
- The IBEW executive has created a motion to be voted on at upcoming unit meetings to establish a Strike Contingency budget line to help defray some of the various expenses associated with potential future ongoing labour action. This budget line is for $500,000 and may be funded from members' equity that has accumulated over the past number of years. These monies, if approved by the membership, will be used for strike related supplies, materials, campaigns, communications, and other various expenditures to help mitigate the impacts of our labour actions on our members.
In the meantime, the Union will continue urging Manitoba Hydro to return to the bargaining table and to negotiate a fair and reasonable agreement. Your Bargaining Committee remains committed to the process to seek a fair deal.
Members need to be assured that the Union will exhaust every possible means of attaining a fair agreement and will do its utmost to avoid a strike. We will continue to work diligently in seeking the fair settlement that you so justly deserve.
Please monitor your emails closely, and contact the office if your email is not up to date at admin@ibew2034.com.
Thank you for support.
In solidarity,
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