Disciplinary measures taken against 10 District of Muskoka employees are unfair and inconsistent and will be challenged, says a representative of the workers’ union.
District management held meetings on Friday and today with the employees, who have been disciplined for removing materials from district landfills. Not only did the workers believe that this was an acceptable and long-standing practice, the discipline being meted out is inconsistent, said CUPE National Representative Mike Walters.
“These members of CUPE 1813 know that their union will be doing everything within its power to fight these unfair and inconsistent suspensions and terminations,” Walters said. He noted that the internal investigation took almost two months, with management denying throughout that it had any knowledge of the employees’ activities.
“I find it extremely difficult to believe that the employer knew nothing about this practice when a supervisor has also been disciplined,” said Walters. “Clearly, the practice was widespread.”
He said the union will grieve all related suspensions and terminations and provide the necessary resources to clear all members who have been disciplined.