Thousands of Manitoba’s allied health-care workers could go on strike

Medical tools are pictured in an exam room at a health clinic in Calgary, Friday, July 14, 2023. (Jeff McIntosh / The Canadian Press) (Jeff McIntosh/THE CANADIAN PRESS)

The union that represents thousands of allied health-care workers in Manitoba has issued a strike deadline in one week from now.

On Friday, the Manitoba Association of Health Care Professionals (MAHCP) announced that job action will begin at 12:01 a.m. on March 7 unless an agreement is reached beforehand.

The union, which represents 7,000 allied health professionals, said members have been without a contract for 11 months. It added that workers are dealing with increased workloads and decreased staff.

The union noted that a strike would cause delays and disruptions to a wide range of services, including non-emergent surgical procedures, non-emergent lab and diagnostic tests, radiation treatments at CancerCare, and home care services, among others.

MAHCP notes that agreements are in place allowing public health workers in the Winnipeg, Churchill, Northern Health and Shared Health regions to schedule a minimum number of employees to ensure essential services continue in the event of a strike.

MAHCP members voted 96 per cent in favour of a strike mandate last month.

The Manitoba government said it does not comment on labour negotiations.