Before a report on Moncton’s snow removal operations reaches council chambers, the union representing employees who clear the snow wants to be consulted.
Keith Hatto, President of CUPE local 51, approached Moncton City Council on Tuesday evening to ensure councillors had an opportunity to pose him questions.
Asked by Coun. Mart Kingston to ensure council that staff are examining the entire system, Hatto said management is not actually required to work with the union on a plan to move forward.
‘There’s definitely been a couple of conversations about what we could do better, but as far as a formal process to make sure that we only get better in the future, there hasn’t been a conversation with the union about that yet,” Hatto responded.
Further questioning inquired whether the city faces an issue of too few snow dumps, to which Hatto explained sidewalks prove to be among the most significant issues.
“After a certain amount of snowfall in any season without a melting event, we will always run into that same scenario where we just do not have anywhere to put this snow,” noted Hatto, adding they will have to figure out how to manage the snow after the city reaches a certain volume in one season.
City Manager Marc Landry told council work has already begun on the report, which will provide input on how to improve operations, though dialogue with the union would be beneficial. The report is expected to make its way to council in the second quarter of 2022.
