The union representing Winnipeg firefighters wants its next collective agreement to be set through binding arbitration, which some fear may not spark the best deal for the city and its taxpayers.

Alex Forrest, president of the United Fire Fighters of Winnipeg, confirmed the request was made to the Manitoba government. He declined further comment Monday, noting labour talks are already underway.

The request is just the latest public twist in the City of Winnipeg-UFFW saga.

In an October 2020 letter obtained by the Free Press, UFFW claimed the city missed an Oct. 1 bargaining deadline to file labour proposals for the negotiations. The letter said that means only UFFW proposals will be eligible for bargaining consideration.

The city has said it believes its proposals can be considered. but offered little additional comment on the topic.

If the union’s view is correct, the deadline would compromise a council-approved plan to end one controversial deal that has had taxpayers cover most, and sometimes all, of the UFFW president’s union salary and benefits. Taxpayers covered 60 per cent of that cost by 2018, and the entire cost prior to 2014.

Coun. Kevin Klein (Charleswood-Tuxedo-Westwood) said he’s concerned the city could wind up with a more expensive agreement if the labour deal is handled through binding arbitration. Klein said he believes the deadline issue will leave the city unable to submit its proposals to an arbitrator, hurting its position.

"An arbitrator isn’t going to see what we tabled… I think it’s going to cost us more money," said Klein, calling the deadline issue a "critical error" for the city. "This is a… very expensive contract and we didn’t file on time."

In a written statement, Manitoba Finance Minister Scott Fielding confirmed he received the arbitration request. Fielding said he will seek details from the city and union to determine if one is needed.

"The appointment of an arbitration board is reserved for situations where the parties that are negotiating a collective bargaining agreement have been bargaining in good faith but are at an impasse or cannot agree to certain terms of the collective agreement," wrote Fielding.

A city spokeswoman stressed the two sides could still negotiate a labour deal.

"The city continues to bargain in good faith… and is hopeful that a negotiated collective agreement will be reached with the UFFW," spokesperson Tamara Forlanski wrote in an email.

By: Joyanne Pursaga