The opposition in the PEI legislature has called for a plebiscite on public waste management after a spirited campaign by the city’s municipal employees in CUPE 501.
“Public Works Best for Waste Watch” became the slogan after the provincial government announced plans to privatize and centralize what is considered one of the best waste recycling and composting systems in the country. The employees who do the non-domestic pick-up were part of a radio ad campaign and a mail drop to citizens of Charlottetown, who already pay for pick-up through taxes. The local also formed a committee with city officials that recommended to the province that the system remain public.
“This plan threatens decent full-time jobs and hands a dangerous level of control to a single sanitation corporation that doesn’t have to run for election or open its books to the public, ” said Division president
Bill McKinnon.