Essential Services And Labour Disputes: Key Considerations For Manitoba Municipalities

Manitoba Labour Relations amendments introduce significant changes for municipal employers, including new restrictions on replacement workers and updated requirements governing essential services during strikes and lockouts.

New Labour Relations Changes Affecting Municipal Employers

In November 2024, significant changes came into effect in The Labour Relations Act (the “Act”) that apply to almost every unionized workplace in Manitoba, including municipalities.

A new prohibition on the use of replacement workers in the event of a legal strike or lockout was a first component of these changes. These new provisions create restrictions on the use of a person who is hired or engaged after the date that notice to commence collective bargaining is given to perform work normally performed by the bargaining unit employees on strike or locked out. The Act further describes additional employees or contracted persons that would fall within this concept of replacement workers.