Ten arena attendants, among the lowest paid in the City of Winnipeg, went on strike February 18 seeking a fair wage increase from their employer, the Winnipeg Minor Hockey Association.
The attendants, members of CUPE 500, are currently paid $12.00 an hour with no benefits.
“Were been trying to negotiate a first contract with the Winnipeg Minor Hockey Association for over a year now,” said Local president Paul Moist. “These arena attendants are among the lowest paid in the City and the employers offer doesnt change that.”
The private employer has offered the attendants $12.60 an hour until July 2001. The workers are asking for $13.50 an hour now, with an increase to $14.00 in September, which would still leave them $2.24 an hour behind the highest paid arena attendants.
Arena attendants require a Power Engineers Refrigeration Certificate. They must be in the arena at all times when it is open to the public because of the potential safety hazard if the ice plant malfunctions