Eleven Dominion stores across the province have been closed since late August, when more than 1,400 workers went on strike to demand better wages and more full-time positions.

The workers, who have been demanding higher wages, began a general strike on Sept. 21 amid stalled contract negotiations.

A mediator was assigned the case and began meeting with both parties on Tuesday with the goal of reaching an agreement.

The union says it wants the independent arbitrator to evaluate the pay scale being discussed.

While the minister tried to strike an optimistic tone, he also offered stark realism, saying bluntly that COVID-19 will eventually be found in Manitoba schools.

In a release Wednesday, the Winnipeg School Division (WSD) said the union representing school bus drivers has served noticed to proceed to a legal strike position as of Sept. 8.

Workers are demanding the equivalent of $16.75 per hour.

Longshore workers at the Port of Montreal are headed back to work today, after a truce declared in a labour dispute allowed activities to resume after a 12-day strike.

The general strike was launched on Aug. 10.

The provinces' labour and economic development ministers say in a letter to the federal government that the shutdown will harm Eastern Canada's economy.