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The City of Winnipeg and its largest union have agreed to arbitration in the event the two sides can’t hammer out a new labour deal.
The Canadian Union of Public Employees Local 500, which represents about 5,000 workers, has been without a new labour agreement with the city since Feb. 28, 2025.
CUPE 500 said in a bulletin posted on its website on June 14 that it and the city have agreed to allow an arbitrator decide on a new collective bargaining agreement if the talks currently underway don’t result in a deal.
“This process means there will be no strike and no lockout during this round of bargaining,” the bulletin states.
“Members will continue to provide services to the public while receiving their regular wages and benefits.”
The CUPE 500 bulletin likened this arbitration process to the one used by Winnipeg’s police and fire paramedic services.
The union said this use of arbitration is a “one-time agreement” with the city.
Winnipeg Mayor Scott Gillingham said in a statement he’s happy both sides have agreed to a process that won’t result in a strike or job action.