Striking Charlottetown water and sewer workers receive trespassing notice from city

Charlottetown workers from CUPE Local 830 are striking in hopes of wage increases. (CTV News)

Members of the CUPE Local 830, which represents the City of Charlottetown water and sewer workers, have received trespassing orders from the city.

The water and sewer workers have been on strike since July 29.

CUPE Local 830 said the city has failed to reply to their latest offer but that several strikers were served with trespassing orders, “effectively banning them from City Hall.”

President of the union and volunteer firefighter Robert Howatt was among those who received the notice. Howatt said he was returning from an emergency call.

“I was out on a call; I still respond because I care deeply about the residents of this city. The police knew that, and they were waiting in my driveway when I got back,” said Howatt.

The workers previously voiced their disappointment about the ongoing strike during a council meeting.

The city said the trespassing notice was issued relating to this.

“Trespass notices were issued over the weekend to five individuals related to their conduct and behaviour at City Hall on Tuesday, October 14. The reason for the notice was causing a disturbance,” a spokesperson for the city said in an email to CTV Atlantic.

CUPE Local 830 said they are exploring legal avenues to challenge the trespass orders.

“City Council needs to give a new mandate to their bargaining team. CUPE Local 830 calls on the City of Charlottetown to engage in meaningful dialogue and reverse these punitive actions,” a release from the union reads.

The water and sewer staff are responsible for a range of duties including:

• maintaining the city’s water and wastewater systems
• repairing water and sewer lines
• conducting inspections and responding to water main breaks
• ensuring water supply is safe and meets Canadian Water Quality Guidelines

The workers have been without a contract since Dec. 31, 2022. The union is seeking a wage increase of 3.5 per cent each year for four years, a release from the City of Charlottetown said.

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