The union representing City of Orillia workers who are on strike is questioning the skills and experience of those who are taking their places.
As an example, the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 636 pointed to a recent collision involving a snow plow.
“This is the kind of thing that we worry about,” Tim Pitts, business representative with Local 636, said in a news release. “First, our hearts go out to the gentleman whose vehicle was struck by the plow. We certainly hope that he was not harmed. Also, while we wish these contractors would not take these jobs, due to strikes, we certainly wouldn’t want any physical harm to come to them, either.”
The city provided some details of the Feb. 14 collision. Jennifer Ruff, director of business development and communications, noted Orillia OPP responded after a snow plow operator “clipped the front bumper of a vehicle on James Street” while turning right from West Street.
“There were no injuries, minor vehicle damage and the OPP did not lay any charges,” she said.
Asked if the plow driver was disciplined in any way, she said, “It was determined there were external factors at play, which resulted in the incident.”
Pitts said those types of incidents can happen when “the contractors sign on to try to take the place of skilled, experienced, professional city employees.”
“The striking City of Orillia professionals have the right credentials, and they know the vehicles and the City of Orillia. The city can’t just suddenly replace them all,” he said.
In response to concerns about the collision being a result of inadequate training or experience, Ruff said, “The city has retained qualified contractors to carry out critical services, such as winter maintenance.”
She said the city “strictly adheres to the licenses and training required for its various operators.”
“Licenses required to operate equipment can range from a Class DZ licence for our large plows, to a Class G licence for our graders and sidewalk machines. All contractors/operators are appropriately licensed.
“Many of the contractors are using their own equipment to complete the winter and road maintenance,” she continued. “Contractors who are using city equipment are fully trained on the machines. Those operating the smaller pieces of equipment, such as the sidewalk machine, are provided hands-on training from a professional specializing in the equipment.”
Pitts asked the community to show its support for the workers who are on strike.
“We hope the Orillia friends and neighbours of their striking workers understand that this could be just the beginning of things to come,” he said of the Feb. 14 incident. “Please, ask the City of Orillia to get back to the bargaining table, with a fair and comparable offer, so the ‘A’ team can get back to doing the job properly, for you.”
Ruff said discussions are continuing between city and union representatives.
“Out of respect for the negotiating process, we are unable to provide any further information at this time,” she said.
Fifty-eight city employees have been on strike since Feb. 6, after they overwhelmingly rejected the city’s “new last offer.”
