Pay raises for Manitoba liquor execs spark concerns over fairness

The Manitoba and Government and General Employees’ Union (MGEU) revealed substantial pay hikes for two key executives at Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries (MBLL) on Thursday, surpassing the increases granted to MGEU members working there over the same period.

“Once again, we observe a double standard where the wage freeze mandate from Premier (Heather) Stefanson doesn’t seem to affect those at the top,” MGEU president Kyle Ross said in a press release. “If the premier, her Cabinet, and MBLL’s Senior Executives are receiving more than a two percent increase, our members deserve the same.”

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According to information disclosed by MBLL under the Public Sector Compensation Disclosure Act, MBLL’s CEO Gerry Sul and EVP Robert Holmberg received 16 per cent pay raises from 2018 to 2022, while MGEU members got just 1.75 per cent due to the prior government’s wage mandate.

“The issue isn’t just about our members receiving smaller raises compared to Premier Stefanson and her ministers. It’s also about our members falling behind significantly in their last contract,” said Ross.

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“This is why they’re advocating for fairness in the current negotiations. The fact that their bosses received a 16 per cent increase while they were held to just 1.75 per cent last time only strengthens our determination to secure equitable wage hikes this time around.”

In a release on Aug. 10, MBLL said it’s brought substantial increases to the table. Sul pointed to what he said were double-digit increases over the span of four years for employees. The overall increase is dependent on their current base salary.

“We are making every effort to maintain operations, but our most important efforts should be on getting our employees back to work,” Sul said. “Given the very public focus on our employees ad our offer, we feel compelled to help Manitobans understand what’s on the table.”

In response to the union’s claim that the top two executives pocketed significant wage increases, MBLL said the numbers “paint an inaccurate and unfair picture.”

A spokesperson stated that the numbers for both executives included more than just salaries, consisting of benefits, payouts for unused “discretionary” leave time and vacation, and remunerations paid. They also said Sul’s promotion to a new role affected his compensation and that an increase in responsibilities for Holmberg reflected an appropriate compensation.