Members of Assiniboine Community College (ACC) - Local 71, and Red River College Polytech (RRC) - Local 73 have voted strongly in favour of a strike mandate.
Manitoba Government and General Employees Union (MGEU) represents about 1900 members who work as instructors and in administrative and information technology roles at the colleges.
Members work at campuses across the province, including the ACC Parkland Campus in Dauphin, as well as Brandon, Winnipeg, Portage La Prairie, and Steinbach.
MGEU President Kyle Ross says in a statement that low wages have become a major issue at the schools, causing problems in staff recruitment and retention.
"Our members work hard to provide students with the very best education they can, but they have been struggling. Instructors and other support staff at the colleges are amongst the lowest paid in the country."
Ross says negotiations will continue, but they've started making arrangements for job action if any new offer comes in too low.
“We will continue to meet with the employer with the assistance of a conciliator. We’re hopeful that this strong strike mandate shows the strength of our resolve and provides the impetus for an improved offer,” Ross added. "However, we've already begun making arrangements for job action if any new offer from the employer remains insufficient."
