The union representing Defence Department employees says the government dropped the ball by not declaring staff at heating and wastewater plants on several military bases as essential workers. Clouds loom over the main gate at Canadian Forces Base Petawawa, Ont. Monday, Sept. 4, 2006. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward
OTTAWA – The union representing Defence Department employees says the government dropped the ball by not declaring staff at heating and wastewater plants on several military bases as essential workers.
The Union of National Defence Employees is part of the Public Service Alliance of Canada, and its members have been on strike since Wednesday.
National president June Winger says that’s led to issues at bases in Petawawa, Ont., Kingston, Ont., Winnipeg and Halifax.
She says the Treasury Board contacted the union today to amend the essential services agreement for those workers.
Winger says that if heating plants are shut down, bases will lose everything from cooling systems to hot water for kitchens and shower facilities.
The Treasury Board has not yet responded to a request for comment.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 21, 2023.
