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Manitoba Lottery Workers Join IBEW

November 16, 2011

New members of Winnipeg Local 435 bargain for their first contract with Manitoba Lotteries Corp. From left are Bernie Myskiw, Bruce Krause, Ray Azeez, Louis Pacilli, John Paddison and Mark Henson.

More than 80 service technicians for the Manitoba Lotteries Corp. became the newest members of Winnipeg Local 435 last summer, after a year-long effort to join the IBEW.

The workers, who service video lottery terminals and slot machines for the province, contacted Local 435 in June 2010 after decertifying another union, which they felt did not properly represent them.

“They knew we represented technicians in the telecommunications industry and felt that we would be a good match for their skills,” says Local 435 Business Manager Bruce Krause.

The technicians were initially part of a larger bargaining unit that included clerical workers. The white-collar employees were leaning towards the Canadian Union of Public Employees, so it took more than 10 months of hearings and legal wrangling in front the Manitoba Labour Board before the technicians were able to vote as a separate unit for the IBEW.

Of the 45 votes cast, 42 voted for Local 435, while the clerical employees voted for CUPE.

“They argued that they could get more hands-on help from Local 435 than from any other union,” Krause said.

The local is currently in bargaining for its first contract with the provincially-owned corporation. “Workers are looking for stronger benefits and better defined job descriptions,” Krause said.