Charlottetown water and sewer workers held a news conference outside city hall Thursday as they continue their strike. We brought the bargaining table [to City Hall] to engage with the City Council. They need to get involved and stop ignoring us,” the workers said in a statement. CUPE Local 830 has been on strike for 24 days after their contract expired on Dec. 31, 2022. “We are reliable and dedicated public sector workers. We serve the City 24/7 year-round. We work in all weather conditions from storms to humid summer days,” a statement from the water and sewer workers reads. Charlottetown residents have been without water and sewer services during the strike. “We show up when the sewer lines are plugged and sewage is backed up in basements. We also connect the water and sewer lines for new homes and businesses,” the statement continues. “We love our jobs. We take pride in our work and in this City.” CUPE Local 830 says the key issues are job security, seniority rights and fair wages. The workers are seeking a wage increase of 3.5 per cent for each year for the four years they have been without a contract. The city water and sewer workers say they have contacted the city and city council daily since the strike began, but have been met with silence. “By ignoring us, City Council is also ignoring the residents and businesses who deserve water and sewer services,” the workers said in a statement. The City of Charlottetown released a statement regarding CUPE’s news conference. “Following today’s news conference by CUPE 830, the City of Charlottetown wishes to provide some clarification and to reaffirm its commitment to reaching an agreement that is fair to our water and sewer employees, and one that is responsible to taxpayers,” a statement from Brad MacConnell, chief administrative officer for the City of Charlottetown, reads. The statement says the city “remains committed to working constructively toward a solution.” The front-line workers of CUPE 830 are responsible for maintaining public services, including water treatment, sewer infrastructure and ensuring the quality of water and sewer services. For more P.E.I. news, visit our dedicated provincial page.
