Manitoba Child and Family Services Workers Issue Strike Notice Over Wage Parity
On March 11, 2025, the Manitoba Government and General Employees’ Union (MGEU) issued a two-week strike notice affecting three Child and Family Services (CFS) agencies: Métis Child, Family, and Community Services; Michif Child and Family Services; and Southeast Child and Family Services. This action could lead to a strike commencing on March 25 if an agreement is not reached.
The central issue prompting this potential strike is the demand for wage parity among CFS workers. MGEU President Kyle Ross emphasized that all Manitobans deserve equal quality of care, regardless of their community, and that workers providing these essential services should receive fair compensation, irrespective of their employing agency.
Despite the provincial government’s allocation of additional funding to CFS authorities and their respective agencies, no proposals addressing wage parity have been presented. Following a strike mandate delivered by members in December, the bargaining committees felt compelled to escalate the matter by issuing the strike notice.
The MGEU represents approximately 500 members across these agencies, including Social Services Workers, Family Support Workers, Youth Care Workers, and Administrative Staff. Contracts for members at Métis Child, Family, and Community Services and Michif Child and Family Services expired on January 31, 2023, while those at Southeast Child and Family Services have been without a contract since March 31, 2022.
The union warns that the current wage disparity could lead to staff attrition, thereby increasing caseloads for remaining workers and potentially compromising the quality of care for vulnerable children and youth. The MGEU asserts that establishing wage parity is crucial to maintain a stable and effective workforce within Manitoba’s child and family services sector.
Source : Swifteradio.com
