CUPE emerged from a meeting with St. John’s mayor with a clear commitment that expansion of the city’s water system will remain in public hands.
CUPE Newfoundland president Wayne Lucas met last week with Mayor Andy Wells to talk about the cleanup of St. John’s harbour.
“International water companies have been knocking on every municipality’s door to try and get control of water services,” says Lucas. “We met with the mayor to assure ourselves that this council wasn’t about to give up control of the harbour cleanup.”
CUPE firmly supports the wastewater treatment project and has been urging the federal and provincial governments to accept their responsibility to share the costs.
“The mayor and council have made a commitment to keep ownership and operation of the treatment facility in public hands. He told us that City workers will operate any sewage treatment plant built in St. John’s,” says Lucas.