The Manitoba government and physicians have a tentative agreement on a four-year contract.

The contract still needs membership’s approval.

The content of the contract includes a pay freeze for the first two years, then a 0.75 per cent increase in the third year and one per cent increase in the fourth year. 

Also in the contract is an additional 2 million dollars for maternity and paternal benefits per year, an additional 1 million dollars per year for the continuing medical education rebate program, and the 10 million dollar annual fund for the physician retention program has been extended.

Some health-care unions are taking the government to court over legislated wage freezes, nurses have gone two years without a contract and talks have been on hold with other health-care unions.

The ratification process is underway and members should be receiving their ballots shortly.