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CORNER BROOK The citys recent announcement to seek a private contractor to operate and maintain the Canada Games Centre is an irresponsible move thats going erode services and end up costing the city more.

Thats according to city workers, the Canadian Union of Public Employees Local 706 and 768, who are on strike to protect the rights of new employees and stop the wave of privatization sweeping this community.

“Contracting out doesnt make sense,” says Ross Grimes, CUPE National Representative. “Time and time again when public services are contracted out taxpayers pay more and services are cut.

“You dont have to take my word for it,” he adds. “Look at what happened after our buses were contracted out. When the city wanted to put in a new bus route on Sunnyslope Drive to service a seniors home the contractor refused because its more concerned about the bottom line.”

Corner Brook announced their plan without public consultation. There are no details on how user groups like the minor hockey clubs who rely on the facility will be effected and there is no guarantee that handing the facilities over to the private sector will be any cheaper.

“This by no means is a done deal,” says Wanda Power, Recording Secretary for Local 768. “Our members feel this is a slap in the face to the working people of this community and were going to do what it takes to keep the Canada Games Centre in-house.”

The members of Local 706 and 768 are demanding that the councillors responsible for making this decision should be accountable to the public. They are determined to bring this issue out to the public and demand that council be held responsible for their actions.

“The mayor and his royal court of councillors should realize that Corner Brook is not their little kingdom. Decisions of this magnitude need to be planned out and open to public review, says Grimes.

For more information please contact:
Ross Grimes or
Wanda Power at
639-8947

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