Workers at Métis, Michif child and family services agencies now have wage parity agreement: Union

Workers at Métis Child, Family and Community Services and Michif Child and Family Services reached an arbitration agreement for wage parity between the two child welfare agencies, the union representing them said Tuesday. 

A new four-year agreement is now in place, retroactive to Feb. 1, 2023, Manitoba Government and General Employees' Union said in a news release on Tuesday. The union told CBC News that workers will see around a 14 per cent pay increase over four years.

The agreement will last until Jan. 31, 2027. 

The employees had been without a contract since the previous agreements expired on Jan. 31, 2023.

More than 330 employees between two agencies — the Winnipeg-area Métis Child, Family and Community Services; and Michif Child and Family Services, serving The Pas, Dauphin and Brandon areas — went on strike on March 25. 

Staff went back to work on April 8 after the union and the employers reached an agreement to resolve outstanding contract negotiations through arbitration.

According to Tuesday's release, arbitrator Michael D. Werier ordered "fair and reasonable" wage increases for both agencies.

Werier also ordered a new maximum pay level to be added within the collective agreement, a one-time automatic step progression for some employees, and back pay to Feb. 1, 2023 for workers employed as of Tuesday. 

More than 60 workers who were laid off earlier this spring will also benefit, the union said.