Manitoba tables bill to freeze public-sector wages
WINNIPEG — Manitoba’s Progressive Conservative government faced protesting students and the threat of a labour lawsuit Monday as it moved to freeze public-sector wages and raise post-secondary tuition fees.
A bill introduced in the legislature would force a two-year wage freeze on public-sector workers — including teachers, nurses, and doctors who are paid through fees — when their current collective agreements expire.
They would receive a 0.75 per cent pay increase in the third year and one per cent in the fourth.
“We’re taking a moderate and reasonable approach here that we think will put us on the road to recovery in this province,” Premier Brian Pallister said.