Winnipeg – The almost 10,000 members of the Provincial Health Care Council in Manitoba have ratified a new collective agreement. Eighty-five per cent of the members voted in favour of the proposed agreement.
According to Darrin Cook, Chair of the Provincial Health Care Council, “it was a difficult and long bargaining process but the bargaining team put in the effort to get the best deal possible.” Bargaining opened in the spring last year and resolution of specific issues in a few locals held up the ratification vote.
“We really appreciate everyone’s patience – but we stood together and no one was left behind.”
The main gains made in this round of bargaining included wage increases of 2.9% for each of four years and an increase in the employer’s contribution to the benefits package.
The vote in support of the agreement was consistent across different work locations – hospitals, personal care homes, rural and urban facilities. The votes in different locations (31 locals were involved in the ratification) ranged from unanimous acceptance (in ten locals) to 63% in favour.