On October 12, the City’s Executive Policy Committee (EPC) voted in favour of awarding two new garbage and recycling collection contracts to Miller Waste Systems (northwest area), and GFL Environmental (southeast area).
Both contracts will still require approval by Winnipeg City Council when they meet on October 26.
In his presentation to EPC, Local 500 President Gord Delbridge, reminded the Mayor and Councillors that the Union has on numerous occasions, provided information to Council and Administration that CUPE is willing to work with the City to bring garbage and recycling services back in-house.
“We’ve been asking for this since day one when it was fully contracted out in 2005,” said Delbridge. “I am confident that we could deliver this service in-house at a cost savings to the Citizens of Winnipeg,” said Delbridge. “We’ve seen many examples across this country where other municipalities are bringing this service back in-house at significant cost savings, and Winnipeg should be looking at doing the same.”
Delbridge also noted that a recent poll commissioned by CUPE shows that Winnipeggers favour in-house garbage and recycling collection by a margin of nearly 2 to 1 compared to having those same services provided by private companies.
“This recent polling indicates that there is strong support among Winnipeggers for in-house service delivery of garbage and recycling pick-up by City workers,” said Delbridge.
The polling conducted by Probe Research between September 13 – 26 found that 59 per cent of poll respondents surveyed believe that the City should look into using City workers and equipment, to carry out waste collection compared to thirty-two percent who did not agree with that approach. The survey also showed that 58 per cent of respondents favoured using City employees compared to 32% for private companies.
Under the Request for Proposals issued by the City for waste and recycling services, the City should have explored whether it could offer the same services at an equivalent or cheaper cost.
“I have a duty not only to protect and promote good jobs, but also good value for Winnipeggers,” said Delbridge. “Other cities have saved money and improved services with City employees. It’s time for the City to bring waste collection back in-house.”
The City's administrative report also contained a recommendation to enter into negotiations with Local 500 to see whether some smaller garbage contracts could be awarded in-house. Currently, five City contracts, for bulky waste and bin collection, are set to expire over the next year. The City also has plans to run a compost-collection pilot project.
The Local will keep the membership updated as more information becomes available.
