Youth crisis workers toil without contract as manager pay bumped: MGEU

The union representing striking youth crisis counsellors at Winnipeg's Macdonald Youth Services says some upper MYS management got raises while the front-line workers went without a contract.

Friday marked day 11 of the workers' strike, and the two sides appear no closer to a deal, said Manitoba Government and General Employees' Union [MGEU]President Michelle Gowronsky.

The workers are seeking a two per cent increase, which is only a tiny portion of MYS' $29-million overall budget, Gawronsky said.

• Macdonald Youth Services workers strike

She added the MGEU had obtained documents showing the CEO of MYS and another senior manager received raises of six and nine per cent respectively over the last two years.

"To do that at the same time that you haven't even made an offer to these members to give them a wage increase, I don't understand," she said. "It boggles my mind and this is supposed to be a crew that is looking after the needs of teens and putting services first."

Thursday, there was a conciliation meeting, but it ended without a deal, Gawronsky said.

MYS still has a crisis crew on the job, but they're run off their feet, she added. That's a sign of the great need for the striking workers to get back on the job, she suggested.

"The team that is out there they are going constantly while they're doing the essential services so there's no question that their needs are there, the need is for them to be there," said Gawronsky.