Municipal water and wastewater employees for the City of Charlottetown, P.E.I., have been on strike for nearly two months in search of a wage increase beyond the 2% per year, which is on offer from the municipality.
About 30 workers walked off the job on July 29 over issues like job security, seniority and wages, marking the first strike action in the union’s 60-year history.
But the contract for these CUPE Local 830 workers actually expired at the end of 2022. Now, they are seeking a wage increase of 3.5% per year, while the city has offered a 2% increase. It’s a deal “both fair to employees and fiscally responsible for taxpayers,” local officials announced in a recent statement on the strike.
“People turn on the tap and expect clean, safe water and we make that happen,” said Blaine Parkman, a utility foreman and 39-year employee with the City of Charlottetown. “It’s not just a job for us. We take pride in knowing that what we do every day directly impacts the health of our neighbors and the environment. That’s why we care so deeply about doing it right.”
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At the bargaining table, the union says that concern over wider certification levels have been raised. But the union has responded that 90% of its members are certified, with just a select few facing individual obstacles, and others who have yet to work long enough for certification eligibility.
The CUPE Local 830 union hosted a town hall recently at the Carriage House in Charlottetown to promote dialogue. Five city councillors showed up, and dozens of residents were fully engaged in the discussion.
“The city has award-winning water because of the work by CUPE Local 830 members,” the union stated at the August 27 open house event.
In 2024, for the second consecutive year, the City of Charlottetown’s Water & Sewer Utility was crowned “Best of the Best” in the Tap Water Taste Test Regional Competition at the Atlantic Canada Water and Wastewater Association’s (ACWWA) Annual Conference. Later in 2024, the city also won the Best of the Best Water Taste Test at the American Water Works Association’s (AWWA) Annual Conference and Exposition (ACE24) in Anaheim, California.
On the city’s side, City of Charlottetown CAO Brad MacConnell issued a statement on August 21 to clarify that municipal leaders are committed to finding a solution to the impasse. But most of the statement appeared directed to local residents who may have concerns over water safety.
“Our focus is on ensuring that residents continue to receive the essential services they rely on,” stated MacConnell. “Water and sewer services are continuing without interruption. There has been no impact on water quality or supply, and the City remains committed to maintaining these essential services until a negotiated agreement is reached with the union.”
MacConnell added that the municipality has “activated contingency plans” that include a “combination of management staff and qualified contractors” to maintain service levels.
The strike action has also impacted water and sewer connections for new builds, and the city is working with developers to find a solution.
Union members have expressed frustration online over contractors not siding with the striking workers, and found some additional work opportunities resulting from the strike. The union has even posted images on social media of leaks on Grafton Street and Lower Malpeque Road, questioning whether all is well behind the scenes in the absence of the full-time employees. “Will this be another case of the City of Charlottetown ignoring the warning signs, dismissing the workers, and delaying action for weeks, like the last leak?” the union posted on September 14.
In its strike action presentation, the union also notes four consecutive annual budget surpluses from the water and sewer department as reason to consider an additional pay increase for workers.
