Based on coverage from CBC.
In the heart of Charlottetown, a simmering dispute between the city and its striking water and sewer workers has taken a legal turn, but not the one the union had hoped for. After 56 days on the picket line, the workers, represented by CUPE Local 830, sought an injunction against the city, claiming intimidation and interference with their right to strike. The P.E.I. Supreme Court, however, saw things differently.
The union's grievances were rooted in allegations that the city had crossed a line, using "defamatory or harassing" tactics and even enlisting the police to intimidate workers. CUPE argued that these actions violated the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. But Justice John Mitchell, presiding over the case, found the evidence lacking. In his words, the allegations amounted to "a tempest in a teapot."
The backdrop to this legal drama is a strike that began on July 29, driven by unresolved issues over job security, seniority, and wages. The workers have been without a contract for over two and a half years, and tensions have only escalated as the city has turned to private companies to fill the gap left by the striking workers.
Among the incidents cited by the union was an email from the city's lawyer, which CUPE claimed was threatening. Justice Mitchell, however, described it as one of the most polite emails he'd encountered. Another point of contention involved a union member's phone call to a local plumbing company, which led to police involvement. The union saw this as an overreach by the city, but the judge deemed the city's actions reasonable, noting that there was no evidence the police were ordered to intervene.
The city's former chief of police, now its CAO, had forwarded the incident to the acting police chief, suggesting a follow-up if necessary. This, according to the union, was another example of the city overstepping its bounds. Yet, Justice Mitchell found no fault in the city's conduct.
Despite the setback, CUPE isn't throwing in the towel. The union's lawyer, Brenda Comeau, expressed disappointment, suggesting that the benefit of the doubt was unfairly given to the city. The union is now considering its options, including a potential appeal.
In a gesture that might be seen as an olive branch, the city requested only $2,500 in legal fees, a nod to the desire for ongoing negotiations. Whether this will pave the way for a resolution remains to be seen.
As the strike continues, the city and its workers remain at an impasse, with no clear end in sight. The court's decision may have closed one chapter, but the story of Charlottetown's water and sewer workers is far from over. For now, the taps of negotiation remain tightly shut, leaving residents and workers alike waiting for a breakthrough.
