Hundreds of concerned Toronto Hydro staff and their supporters turned out on Tuesday, February 28, to raise concerns about plans by Toronto Hydro to dramatically slash staff, reduce capacity and expose the city to increased power outages.
On the steps of Toronto Hydro’s downtown headquarters, John Camilleri, President, Local One of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), spoke out about his growing concerns about the direction Hydro CEO Anthony Haines is taking the public utility.
“There’s one thing I can agree with Haines about—it’s that his decision to cut hundreds of staff will cause more blackouts,” Camilleri said, “that’s why this recklessness can’t be allowed to undermine the service our businesses and residents need. We’re here to keep the lights on.”
Speakers from government, business and community groups raised growing fears that Toronto Hydro’s continued conflict with provincial regulators at the Ontario Energy Board was unnecessary and unproductive. Speakers expressed concern that staff cuts will likely cause damage to the local electrical system and negatively impact the quality of life and the economic vitality of the city.
“It’s time,” Camilleri reminded an enthusiastic crowd, “If the Board won’t act to bring Haines’ disastrous strategy under control, the city, which owns our hydro system, needs to step in.”
CUPE One represents 1,500 clerical, technical and trades workers at Toronto Hydro.
For more information, please contact:
John Camilleri, President, CUPE Local One, 416-937-6930
Kevin Wilson, CUPE Communications, 416-821-6641