Frustration reaches high gear among drivers as MPI strike rolls into its 3rd month

Some Manitobans are getting increasingly frustrated as the strike by hundreds of unionized auto insurer workers enters its third month.

But hope for a settlement is growing as strikers represented by the Manitoba Government and General Employees' Union (MGEU) vote on the latest offer from Manitoba Public Insurance (MPI) on Monday.

Laura Myska has been sitting on an open MPI claim since early September, after she hit a black bear when she was driving home from work one night.

"It's frustrating, like, that I'm paying all this money into insurance … yet I'm getting no service," she told CBC on Saturday. "When I call for updates, they don't know anything."

She says her car, which was totalled after the accident in Mitchell, Man., was towed to a compound in Niverville, Man. She said she called MPI at least 40 times after the accident before she reached someone and submitted a claim.

"It took me hours to actually, like, just get on hold," said Myska, who lives in Linden, Man.

When she called again on Oct. 20 for an update on her claim's status, the person on the line wasn't able to tell her whether her car had been inspected.

"I asked her for any details about when she thinks it'll be done and she's like, 'No, I don't know,'" Myksa said.

About 1,700 MPI workers represented by the MGEU have been on strike since Aug. 28, after the parties couldn't decide on a new contract.

Since then, some services have been disrupted. MPI's website says new road test appointments aren't available, and the contact centre is only open for customers reporting certain claims.

Peter Posillipo, owner of Finish First Autobody, said it has taken a while for MPI to look at some vehicles that were towed after an accident. 

"They've taken a long time to take care of people," he told CBC on Sunday.

On the first day of the strike, MPI announced that people could directly initiate claims and make arrangements for repairs at accredited auto body repair shops such as Posillipo's.

Since then, Posillipo said, he's sometimes had two or three customers a day come in with MPI claims.

"The toughest thing I've been finding is people are just so impatient. They want to get the cars fixed now, now, now, and there's only so many guys," he said. "People just trip in here and they just, they don't call, you know, they just show up."

It's also taking longer for MPI to approve repairs on vehicles that are above a price threshold set by the insurance provider. It could be five to eight days before he gets the go-ahead, Posillipo said, making the situation "a little frustrating." 

Union, MPI at bargaining table

The Crown corporation presented what it called a final offer last month, and the two sides were supposed to head toward binding arbitration.

Parties in a labour dispute can apply for binding arbitration — in which a decision is legally binding and enforceable, similar to a court order — if a strike or lockout continues for 60 days, under Manitoba labour law.

But both MGEU and MPI are looking to settle the dispute at the bargaining table, after the province issued a mandate to MPI's board of directors to resolve the labour dispute without binding arbitration.

The mandate came after Manitoba's NDP government replaced most MPI board members.

"In alignment with this direction, the board has met with MPI's management team and provided direction to return to the table and resume negotiations with MGEU," a MPI spokesperson said Friday.

In a news release Sunday, an MGEU spokesperson said members employed by MPI would vote Monday on a new employer offer that would provide wage increases of 12.2 per cent over four years:

• Three per cent in 2022.
• Three per cent in 2023.
• 2.9 per cent in 2024.
• 3.3 per cent in 2025.

As well, the deal would provide a one-time lump-sum signing bonus of $1,800 per full-time employee (pro-rated for part-time employees).

The union says voting will take place between noon and 6 p.m., with results expected to be announced later in the evening. If members ratify the offer, the strike will end, the statement says. 

While Myska said she understands why the employees are on strike, she hopes it ends soon.

"The fact that I'm basically being told like, 'Oh well, it is what it is, kind of deal with it,' it really isn't acceptable when … it's the only game in town. There's nowhere else I can get insurance," she said.

"I'm paying a lot of money for insurance, and I shouldn't be told to just kind of like sit down and shut up, it will be done when it's done."