Some wastewater and winter maintenance workers in Orillia are going on strike.
Unionized staff in the Environment and Infrastructure Services Group represented by the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 636 will walk off the job at midnight Friday.
The unionized employees on strike include staff from water/wastewater, waste diversion, operations staff (including roads and winter maintenance), environmental officers, and electricians.
There are 58 staff members included in the collective bargaining unit and the City of Orillia says it has been in negotiations with the IBEW bargaining committee since August 2020.
Negotiations broke down when the union team rejected the latest offer from the City.
“The health and safety of those who live and work in Orillia is of the highest priority, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. During the strike, the City will maintain all critical services, including the provision of clean drinking water, wastewater, winter maintenance and road operations. It’s unfortunate that on top of the pandemic we are faced with a strike situation,” said Mayor Steve Clarke.
A contingency plan is in place to maintain all critical services to the public, which includes bringing in outside contractors and redeploying City staff. The strike will not impact drinking water and wastewater treatment. The City’s Waste Diversion Site will remain open and garbage collection will not be affected. Winter maintenance will be carried out in accordance with provincial minimum maintenance standards and road maintenance will continue.
For updates related to the strike, please follow the City of Orillia on Facebook and Twitter or visit orillia.ca.
@cityoforillia unionized staff in the Environment and Infrastructures Services Group have advised they will be on strike effective Feb. 6, 2021 at 12:01 a.m. A contingency plan is in place to maintain all critical services to the public. Details: https://t.co/hUuxpxIMzh #orillia pic.twitter.com/lF5mJLcln4
— City of Orillia (@cityoforillia) February 4, 2021