CUPE Local 500 is calling on the Minister of Labour and Immigration to authorize an investigation into the working conditions at Emterra Environmental and its subcontractors in Winnipeg, with particular focus on workplace health and safety for all those who perform duties that fall under the City of Winnipeg’s contract for garbage and recycling services.
“Whether unionized or non-unionized, these workers deserve to work in a safe and healthy environment,” said Mike Davidson, President of CUPE Local 500 which represents approximately 180 drivers, swampers, and recycling plant employees who work directly for Emterra. Employees of Emterra subcontractors are not members of CUPE Local 500.
“Workers have expressed serious concerns with the conditions in which they work and the City, Emterra and all the subcontracted companies need to be held responsible.”
A recent report conducted by APTN found numerous serious workplace health and safety violations, as well as testimony from Emterra subcontractors who were injured on the job.
As part of its regular business practice, Emterra commonly sub-contracts work. Many of these subcontractors rely exclusively on temporary worker agencies to provide day labourers to perform the physically challenging “swamping” duties. These day labourers are paid frighteningly low wages, are offered no job security, work in substandard and dangerous conditions and have few rights.
“Winnipeggers expect their services to be delivered in a fair and reasonable manner,” said Davidson. “Winnipeggers will not stand to see core city services delivered on the backs of vulnerable and exploited workers. The Mayor and Council should be ashamed that 19th century-style working conditions are permitted to happen under their watch.”
In May 2013, Emterra drivers, swampers, and recycling plant employees voted to join the union, which has since negotiated a new contract for these workers.
Unfortunately because of Emterra’s business model, CUPE was unable to organize sub-contractors or workers from the temporary worker agencies.
“Every worker has the right to representation in the workplace,” said Davidson. “We are dedicated to fight for improvements for these workers, and we hope that we can improve the working conditions for everyone.”
CUPE Local 500 met with Emterra in September 2015 to discuss concerns related to sub-contracting and health and safety.
CUPE Local 500 notes that these types of serious health and safety issues were not present when the City owned and operated garbage and waste collection services, prior to the contracting out of the service.
