The Grey Bruce Labour Council issued a statement following the lockout of outside workers after they voted last month in favour of a strike mandate.
In the statement the Council Labour Council VP Dave Trumble says they recognize the tactics undertaken by the South Bruce Peninsula Council and under the Leadership of Mayor Jackson. They say they are of people with an absolute disdain for their employees.
Trumble is hoping that any contractors showing to work for the municipality while the workers are locked out will understand that they will not be treated any better by their employer. He adds that they should also understand that they consider this scabbing, and it is hoped that the Peninsula will hear only crickets, they say, when the call goes out to contractors.
The negotiating position of the union, says the council, is reasonable and they say with most anti-worker and anti-union employers the strategic value of paying a reasonable wage is overlooked.
The Council adds that workers of South Bruce Peninsula would be plowing their money right back into their municipality they say. Adding that what better way to generate more economic activity as so many communities are attempting to recover from the pandemic.
Several workers were seen picketing outside the municipal offices in Wiarton this week.
The Town issued their own statement on the matter saying unionized outside workers took a strike vote on March 15th and since have been in a legal strike position. To prevent labour disruptions during our peak season, the Town has made the tough decision to lock out our unionized outside workers. It is the Town’s desire to resume negotiations and resolve this labour disruption as soon as possible.
They go on to say that these are very challenging times, and to be clear, the decisions made relating to the above-mentioned job action were not easily made, but the Town believes these decisions were made in the best interest of our taxpayers and business community.
As a responsible employer accountable to the people of South Bruce Peninsula, we have prepared contingency plans that will maintain critical services during this labour disruption. Services that might be affected include road maintenance (snowplowing, sanding, sidewalk snow removal, road grading, pothole repairs, etc.), landfill operations, as well as parks and facility maintenance. The Town will make every effort to provide the above-mentioned services that our residents are accustomed to, however delays may be experienced.
The labour disruption will not impact curbside garbage & recycling collection, municipal water and wastewater treatment, or firefighting response. Paramedic services are provided by Bruce County EMS, therefore will not be affected, nor will policing as it is provided by the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP).
