Manitoba could be facing a shortage of snowplow and grader operators heading into winter, according to the union that represents the workers. The Manitoba Government and General Employees’ Union (MGEU) says provincial documents it has obtained show a significant number of vacancies. As of the end of March, 73 of the province’s 379 full-time positions were vacant, or just over 19 per cent, the union says. MGEU President Kyle Ross says the province is struggling with recruitment and retention. “These workers go out in the most inclement weather usually to make sure Manitobans can travel safely across this province,” Ross said. Ross says municipalities and private contractors are offering better pay than the province. “It’s just dollars and cents, these workers can make more money, and when there’s a cost-of-living crisis, they choose to go make more money,” Ross said. He warns the vacancies could lead to delays on the roads. “Manitobans need to go out and travel this winter and if there’s a blizzard, a lot of snow coming down, it’s going to take a little longer to get those roads caught up,” Ross said. In a statement to CTV News, Transportation Minister Lisa Naylor said the government has improved operator wages. “Since taking office, we have focused on recruiting and retaining snow plow operators through additional wage increases, a premium for night shifts during the winter months and legislation to keep maintenance workers and Manitobans safer on our highways,” Naylor said. This problem has drifted in before. In 2022, under the PC government, concerns were raised that cuts could affect how often the Perimeter Highway had to be closed. A provincial spokesperson told CTV News the government has reduced the vacancy rate from 27 per cent in 2023 to the current 19 per cent, as of March of this year.
