Expansion of city workers prohibited from striking back on Winnipeg councillors' agenda

More city workers could lose the right to strike if the Manitoba government grants a city request.

Winnipeg city councillors are once again about to considerasking the province to expand the list of essential services.

In a report on the agenda of the executive policy committee, city staff askfor council approval to request the province amend the Essential Services Act to add new categories of city staff who would be prohibited from striking when collective bargaining fails to achieve an agreement.

Jobs that could be added to the list include snow clearing, fire-paramedic 911 operatorsand water treatment workers.

Currently, only Winnipeg police, paramedics and firefighters are considered essential and do not have the right to strike.

Last year, collective bargaining with the city's largest union soured to the point that 5,000 workers nearly walked off the job.

"During recent collective agreement negotiations, the public service made several unsuccessful attempts to negotiate an essential services agreement with CUPE Local 500,"Winnipeg deputy chief administrative officer Moira Geerwrote in the report.

The city says it's concerned about preserving services "impacting life, limb, critical infrastructure, personal safety, public safetyand public health."

This is the second time this year Mayor Scott Gillingham's inner circle on the executive policy committee is considering the proposal.

In April, thecommittee agreed to put it on hold while talks between the city and the union continued. Now, that same proposal will come back before the committeefor a vote next week.

City officials declined a request for an interview with chief administrative officer Michael Jack.

"The matter will be discussed at the upcoming EPC meeting. Following the meeting, members of the public service will be available to answer questions,"communications manager David Driedger wrote in an email.

Gillinghamspokesperson Colin Fast referred questions to Jack.

CBC News also reached out to CUPE 500 president Gord Delbridge but did not receive a response.