In the most recent update, the City of Charlottetown clarified that Landmark Construction’s current tasks involve linking residences to Charlottetown’s water and sewer services, indicating that the company is contracted by homeowners and not directly by the city.
Several water and sewer workers in Charlottetown who are on strike received trespass orders following a demonstration by over 50 union members and supporters outside a city council assembly last week. CUPE Local 830 revealed that police delivered notices to four strikers and a union representative, barring them from city hall. The union stated that the orders were prompted by the workers expressing their discontent towards Mayor Philip Brown for voting against a proposal to potentially engage with the union during the strike.
Charlottetown Police Services confirmed that the trespass notices were issued to five individuals over the weekend for causing a disturbance at the council meeting. The striking water and sewer employees have been on strike for two and a half months, advocating for improved job security and wages. In response, the city has enlisted private contractors to carry out their duties.
Robbie Howatt, president of CUPE Local 830, was among those who received a trespass notice. He criticized the ban, labeling it as absurd and a reflection of the current frustration among the workers.
The union also raised concerns about a city councillor allegedly failing to disclose a conflict of interest before voting on the motion to meet with the union. The vote ended in a tie, with Coun. Bob Doiron voting against the proposal. The mayor broke the tie by rejecting the meeting with the striking workers. CUPE suggested that Doiron, who chairs the water and sewer committee, should have abstained from voting due to a conflict of interest related to his son-in-law’s majority ownership of Landmark Construction, a company hired by the city during the strike.
The city is investigating the conflict of interest allegation, while Doiron refrained from commenting until the review process is completed.