Brothers and Sisters
I wanted to reach out to you as we are faced with our first significant snow event of the season. Forecasts are for 20-40cm across the region over the next day and a half. Members of CUPE 5406 are professionals who care for the communities in which we live. Something that workers brought in from outside our region won’t likely have. These are the highways our family and friends travel. These are the highways that need to remain open to keep the flow of goods and services happening and to allow for quick response times for our emergency services.
It has been difficult to accept the current schedule that the employer is throwing at us. I want you all to understand that this has not been acceptable to the Executive Team. It’s not safe and more disappointingly has shown no respect. Please know we have been working daily on this trying to get it changed. We are trying to fast track the grievance process, we have reached out to the employer on several different levels pleading for the health and well-being of our members as well as exploring other more drastic measures. However!! The latest schedule released today seems to have addressed some of our biggest concerns. No short-changes, everybody seems to have two days off in a row. I’m very pleased the employer appears to have listened to us, but we’ll see what happens in the future. We hope this is a path to resolution.
Saying this, many of us are faced with a dilemma. Do you come in, work your shift as is laid out, leaving huge gaps in the servicing of the highways; or do you come in early, stay late or come on your day off for the sake of the traveling public and our loved ones? I think most of us, in our hearts, feel that the safety of the public trumps all else. We do what we do to make the roads safe. With that in mind some of you will rise above the pettiness and animosity we are feeling and be professional to make the roads as safe as possible. We are united in many ways, but at the core we are snow-plow operators.
Do what your conscience tells you. There should be no judgement on you no matter what you choose.
Safe travels! And most importantly be kind to one another.
In Solidarity
Rob Collette – President