Winnipeg council gives green light to snow clearing review
CBC News | Posted: February 25, 2015 4:55 PM | Last Updated: February 26, 2015
CUPE called for analysis of costs between private and public workers
The City of Winnipeg will carry out a comprehensive review of its snow clearing operations that will look at the quality of work associated with private contractors
Council voted on Wednesday afternoon to approve the review, which will also examine the costs and the history of complaints related to contractors.
About 80 per cent of the snow clearing work in the city is currently done by private companies. The review could potentially recommend that more of that work be done by city employees.
The review is expected to be complete by June.
Earlier on Wednesday, the union representing city employees made its case for a review.
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The Canadian Union of Public Employees Local 500 has already launched a website and hotline to collect Winnipeg residents' experiences — both good and bad, it insisted — on snow clearing.
At city hall on Wednesday, union president Mike Davidson asked councillors to support a motion calling for an analysis of snow clearing costs between private contractors and city workers.
Davidson said city workers would do a more efficient job than private contractors.
Charleswood-Tuxedo Coun. Marty Morantz challenged Davidson, asking how he would feel if the review determines it's cheaper to use private contractors.
Davidson told council that a number cities in Canada use both private contractors and public workers, but at a lower cost than Winnipeg.
He said the issue with snow clearing isn't just about cost, it's about quality of service.