Liquor Mart Employees Strike Enters Second Week

For the second week in a row, Liquor Mart employees demonstrated at the Manitoba Legislature due to an ongoing labor dispute.

On Tuesday, hundreds of workers demonstrated outside the legislature in support of their ongoing demands for a new contract and a rise in pay. One day prior, Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries (MBLL) expressed interest in pursuing binding arbitration for wage increases.

The Manitoba Government and General Employees Union (MGEU), according to the MBLL, has no plans to end their strike by going to arbitration.

In a recent statement, Gerry Sul, the President & CEO of MBLL, emphasized that arbitration will only be pursued if their longstanding demands are met, rendering the arbitration process irrelevant. Sul’s remarks shed light on the company’s unwavering stance in negotiations. MGEU Extends Summer Strike, Impacting Employees, Families, Customers, and Manitoba Businesses In a move that has raised concerns among employees, their families, customers, and over 2,000 Manitoba businesses, the Manitoba Government and General Employees Union (MGEU) has decided to prolong the ongoing summer strike.

The decision comes as the union refuses to immediately pursue the fair arbitration suggested by the conciliator. The extension of the strike has sparked apprehension among various stakeholders, as it continues to have a detrimental effect on employees and their families. With the strike persisting, the livelihoods of workers remain uncertain, causing distress and financial strain for those involved.

Furthermore, the impact of the prolonged strike is not limited to the employees alone. Customers who rely on the services provided by the affected sectors are also feeling the consequences. The disruption caused by the strike has resulted in inconvenience and potential setbacks for individuals and businesses alike. The ramifications of the strike extend beyond immediate stakeholders, with over 2,000 Manitoba businesses feeling the adverse effects.

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The ongoing labor dispute has created a challenging environment for these enterprises, hindering their operations and potentially jeopardizing their financial stability. Despite the conciliator’s recommendation for fair arbitration, the MGEU has chosen not to pursue this path, further prolonging the resolution of the dispute.

This decision has raised questions about the union’s approach and its potential impact on finding a timely and equitable resolution. As the strike continues, the affected parties anxiously await a resolution that will bring an end to the ongoing labor dispute. The hope is that both sides can come to an agreement that addresses the concerns of the employees while

Since 2022, the MGEU has been operating without a new contract for its Liquor Mart employees. According to a statement released on Monday by MGEU president Kyle Ross, the union will continue to picket and will cooperate with a mediator to put an end to the strike.

There is a big chance that arbitration will take a very long time, frequently longer than a year, to give MGEU members pay raises. Ross declared, “This is not acceptable.”

The MGEU will talk about a fair arbitration process but wants to work towards “a fair, negotiated settlement,” according to Ross.