Winnipeg, Manitoba – With the MPI strike entering its sixth week, the Crown corporation says it’s introducing new and expanded contingency plans to ensure customers have continued access to MPI services.
This news comes from an emailed media release in which Ward Keith, MPI Board Chairperson said, “I am pleased MPI officials have been able to minimize service disruptions for Manitobans during the labour interruption. The success of these contingency plans clearly demonstrates MPI’s commitment to maintaining core and essential services during this time, and the strong partnerships that exist between the corporation and its industry partners throughout the province.”
“Last week, MPI also began welcoming back employees who have voluntarily requested to return to work. These employees are being assigned to the core and essential customer service functions they are most suited for and are joining redeployed management and professional staff and replacement workers who have been working hard to maintain core services for Manitobans since the labour interruption began.”
Beginning this week, MPI will double its estimating capability, helping to move more customers through the estimating process.
Specifically, MPI has partnered with DCCHail, a Canadian paintless dent repair company, to set up a second drive through estimating hail scanning tool at MPI’s Physical Damage Centre.
According to the email release, since MPI and DCC set up the first scanner two weeks ago, the technology has helped produce more than 2,300 hail damage estimates.
MPI has also resumed knowledge testing for all driver license classes in Winnipeg and Brandon. For commercial drivers, this means that commercial driving schools can now resume intakes for new classes and begin to move students through their training programs.
In tandem with this, knowledge testing for new teen drivers will now also resume.
Class 1-6 and air brake knowledge tests are now available for all customers on a walk-in basis at MPI testing location.
Finally, MPI has also expanded regular Class 5 road testing to 20 communities outside of Winnipeg.
