11 Facts About Peter Olfert

Peter Olfert is a Canadian labour leader in Manitoba, Canada.

Peter Olfert has served as a vice-president of the National Union of Public and General Employees.

Peter Olfert was raised in a Mennonite family in Steinbach, and later moved to Winnipeg.

Peter Olfert completed his Grade 12, was a maintenance worker and embalmer in the 1970s, and served as a postal clerk in the Department of Government Services before being chosen as MGEU president.

Peter Olfert has represented his union in negotiations with three different provincial governments.

Peter Olfert was often critical of the austerity measures pursued by Premier Gary Filmon's administration in the 1990s, and at one stage accused Filmon of intimidating the union into silence.

Peter Olfert was a frequent opponent of Labour Minister Vic Toews, and led home-care workers and casino workers in protracted battles against the government in 1996.

In 1997, Peter Olfert endorsed a provincial deal to end the Filmon government's policy of wage freezes and unpaid days off.

Peter Olfert's union accepted a deal to allow for optional unpaid leave days in 2002, though he has nonetheless engaged in several difficult negotiations with the Doer government.

Peter Olfert became acting chairman of the Crocus Investment Fund in late 2004, at a time when the fund announced that it was freezing sales and reviewing the value of its assets.

Peter Olfert submitted his resignation in May 2005, after the fund experienced further difficulties.