Snowplows frozen as Taché workers launch strike

Public Works employees in the Rural Municipality of Taché walked off the job on Monday after a new deal with administration couldn’t be reached, leaving snowplows parked despite recent snowfall.

Picket lines formed outside Taché’s municipal office as 22 members of the Operating Engineers of Manitoba Local 987 began striking at 6 a.m.. The union represents workers from the utilities, solid waste and public works departments.

Negotiations have been at a standstill with the RM after the union rejected a final three year deal, citing workers only wanted two years instead, union representative Trevor Yuriy told The Carillon.

“This is an election year for councillors. I don’t think this is a message you want to be putting out there before going to the polls in the fall,” Yuriy said.

The previous collective agreement expired in December 2024, with negotiations dragging throughout 2025. The union issued a strike notice on Feb. 19.

Workers rejected the RM’s three-year deal because the third year’s wages were roughly $5 to $8 less than what other neighbouring municipalities, such as Springfield, paid employees in those departments, he said. The union had no issue with how much workers were paid in the first two years of the potential deal, Yuriy noted.

“They (workers) are disappointed that their voices aren’t heard because when you get final offers after you tell the employer what the issue is, and you still get a final offer that still has that third year, that’s been troubling to the membership,” he said.

The union’s two-year offer, which Taché previously rejected, is still “on the table,” and Taché could end the strike “today” if they sign it, Yuriy said.

Rene Ammeter, a lead drainage hand, braved blowing winds to man the picket line. The 48-year-old union member has never walked off the job before.

“The fact that negotiations have gone on for so long shows a lack of care and communication for employees here. That’s kind of par for the course,” he said.

While striking, workers are bound by an essential services agreement which will still offer snow clearing if snowfall accumulations is above 15 centimetres. Snowplows and sand trucks stayed parked on Monday and Tuesday as the flurries didn’t cross the threshold.

As the spring thaw approaches, union members will still perform flood mitigation measures as needed.

The RM hires summer staff for basic landscaping services annually, and Yuriy said no staff can be hired this summer if a collective agreement isn’t in place.

Hours have been cut at the RM’s two solid waste management facilities from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with the Lorette site only open on Tuesday and Thursday, and Monominto’s facility running on Wednesdays. Commercial and residential waste will still be collected in Lorette and Landmark by contractors on its designated days

The RM’s utilities will be monitored by managers, with union members responding to emergency night calls.

Mayor Armand Poirier didn’t respond to interview requests from The Carillon.

A statement posted to the RM’s website said its goal is to finish negotiations to minimize impact on employees and residents.

“We recognize this is a difficult situation for everyone involved and remain committed to resolution through the collective bargaining process,” the statement read.