July 6, 2023

Dear Member;

The IBEW negotiation committee has been working diligently to bargain a new collective agreement with Manitoba Hydro that is fair, competitive, and reasonable. On June 29th, Manitoba Hydro came back to the committee with a slightly improved offer from the one our membership last voted on May 30th, 2023, with the following improvements (see comments):

• 1.75%for 2022 - The Manitoba Rate of Inflation for 2022 was 7.8% and  Canadian CPI rose 6.8%, resulting in an earning deficit of 5.05-6.05%.

• Binding arbitration for 2023 - Difficult to agree to this process at this time (for the year 2023) without knowing who the potential arbitration candidates may be, as well as not having an agreed to set of guidelines and arguments for the presentation.  Without defining these important items, the corporation could introduce ambiguous arguments and attempt to confuse the arbitrator.  The recent Weirier decision for UNIFOR will result in many groups to proceed with caution.

• Service recognition payment of $1600 - This is a minimal increase of $600 from the initial offer and is nothing more than a one-time shiny thing to entice or trick members.  Alternatively, consider what an additional .75% increase to an $80,000 annual salary would equate to the same $600 being earned (compounding) each and every year of employment, as well as the future effect on retirement earnings.

Note:   If you compare your annual salary, you will see the effect over the next couple years of the contract period, as well at the effect over the period until 2025 for comparison.  Take a good look at these numbers and compare them to the very reasonable IBEW counteroffer below.

The IBEW Bargaining Committee countered on June 29th with a proposal which contained:

• An increase of 3.4% for 2022 (to apply retroactively to Jan 1, 2022).

• An increase of 5% for 2023 (to apply retroactively back to March 1, 2023)

• We also offered to add additional term (year 3 or 4) that would see future increases tied to the cost-of-living adjustments (COLA) from the previous year (to a max of 5%).

• Additional proposals to address uncompetitive standby rates, improve working conditions, travel and out of pocket expenses, Technical Calls & Contacted after hours, working on a Corporate Holiday, remote work and home starts have been dismissed by the corporation.  See a snapshot of the future earnings and gains.

Note:   If you compare your annual salary, you will see the effect over the next couple years of the contract period, as well at the effect over the period until 2025 for comparison.  Take a good look at these numbers and compare them to the corporations offer the membership vote on May 30th, 2023.

• Look at the comparison for a $75,000 salary until 2025.  There is a $17,119 difference.  For many staff that work extensive OT, the margin grows substantially.  Consider the effect beyond the year 2025 over the course of your career. 

• These earnings are all pensionable and will have a profound effect on your retirement and your future prosperity for your family and loved ones.

Here is a recent summary of the City of Winnipeg Police officers’ contract:

• Recently ratified a 4-year deal that will see annual increases of 3.13% -2022, 3.13% - 2023, 3.13%-2024, 3.13%-2025 for a total of 12.52% over the 4-year period. 

• There are also special wage adjustments that are proposed that, if accepted, would see additional .5% adjustments for 2024 and 2025. 

• This would result in an average increase of 3.38%/year, which equates to 13.52% over the 4 years. They will also maintain their current pension, which includes pensionable overtime. See a snapshot of the future earnings and gains.

Note:   If you compare Hydro’s offer to the recent City of Winnipeg Police offer, you will see the effect over the period until 2025 for comparison. 

• Look at the comparison for a $75,000 salary until 2025.  There is a $27,042 difference.  For many staff that work extensive OT, the margin grows substantially.  Consider the effect beyond the year 2025 over the course of your career. 

• These earnings are all pensionable and will have a profound effect on your retirement and your future prosperity for your family and loved ones.

Across Canada, IBEW 2034 workers are highly respected in the electrical industry.  In Manitoba, however, our members continue to be amongst the lowest paid in the Canadian Utility Sector.  I suggest you take the time to value yourself and see what your worth is in other markets, including Sask-power, Enmax, Epcore, and BC Hydro to name a few. You are worth a lot more than you think.

Based on information back in 2021, here are some examples compared to Sask-Power:

•      District Service worker – 18-39% less

•      Welder/Senior welders – 13-16% less

•      Powerline Technician – 15% less

•      District Support Representatives – 2-8% less

•      Electrical Inspector – 6% less

•      Metering technician – 4% less

I want you to ask yourself this question. Since 2017, we have seen a substantive decline in the standard of living.  Your wages (including most public sector groups) have fallen more than 11% below the cost of living in five short years.  It would be reasonable for most people to conclude that the current government (Heather Stefanson and Brian Pallister), and their appointed CEO’s are intent on breaking up public sector unions.

Our IBEW membership has fought the hardest and made the most substantive gains to oppose this attack on Labour.  Many of the groups at Manitoba Hydro have you (IBEW) to thank for the increases they have received.   

We will do our absolute best to share as much information with the membership as soon as we possibly can, understanding that most of our communications “like these” end up in the view of Hydro’s bargaining committee within hours, so tactically we can be disadvantaged on occasion if we share “too many” details.  However, the decision to accept an offer or send us back to the table to continue to negotiate a better offer will always remain with the membership through a democratic process. 

I assure you that our bargaining committee, executive, as well as our membership stands steadfast in our commitment to ensure we advocate for our members and for the future success of Manitoba Hydro and prosperity for all Manitobans.

In solidarity,

Business Manager
IBEW Local Union 2034