Ice-making to commence in Valemount, McBride next week
By Spencer Hall
The Regional District of Fraser-Fort George says it will begin making ice at both the Robson Valley and Canoe Valley Recreation Centres next week.
In a statement released on Thursday, the RDFFG said it was aware the delay in ice-making resulted in concern and frustration for residents.
“This is a dynamic situation and in light of new information, the Regional District of Fraser-Fort George will begin the ice-making process at Robson Valley Recreation Centre in McBride and Canoe Valley Recreation Centre in Valemount next week,” the District said in the statement.
The Goat reached out for clarification as to what “new information” the District was referring to, but RDFFG communications manager Hilary Erasmus declined to comment further, citing the ongoing negotiations between CUPE 1699 — the union that represents certain RDFFG employees, including those responsible for making ice — and the Regional District.
The statement comes after the District announced last week it would be delaying ice installation indefinitely due to what the RDFFG called “potential job action” by CUPE 1699.
The RDFFG said the ice-making process takes about 12 days, adding that even if the ice is put in without interruption, the District can’t guarantee it will be available for continuous public use.
“If there is job action by CUPE 1699, the Regional District may be able to retain the ice in the facilities, but it does not have the exempt staff (non-union and/or management) required to safely maintain it for residents’ daily use,” it said. “The Regional District is committed to resolving this labour dispute and continues to look for ways to minimize impacts on residents.”
In a letter sent to the RDFFG board on Thursday, Oct 9th, CUPE 1699 shared its frustration on the delays, calling the impact to the communities of Valemount and McBride “unnecessary.”
“As you know, our members work hard to deliver services and take care of our parks, buildings, and landfills. They also take care of the ice in arenas, and have been ready and willing to do so, despite the Regional District’s public insistence that the delay was due to the uncertainty of potential job action by our union,” the letter said.
The Union said from its perspective, strike action is a last resort, adding that its bargaining team has done its best to negotiate what it calls a “fair deal” and avoid a disruption in services.
“Throughout bargaining, our committee brought constructive proposals and a willingness to work toward a resolution that meets the needs of both workers and our communities. Workers in this region—whether they are employed by the City of Prince George, the District of Mackenzie, or the Regional District of Fraser Fort-George—deserve basic respect in the workplace, and a wage that makes it possible to afford basic necessities in the communities they live in and serve,” the Union said.
It concluded by saying the best way to come to a resolution was for the District to come back to the bargaining table and negotiate what the Union a “fair contract” that is in line with what other municipal workers have already negotiated.
“Negotiate a fair agreement so that the workers of your district are not lost to other communities who recognize the value of their work. Negotiate a fair agreement so that, together, we can keep our district running smoothly and deliver the services we all care about,” the Union said.
Updates on the ice-making process will be posted on the RDFFG website. CUPE 1699 is set to meet next week to discuss next steps in the negotiation process.
This is a developing story and may be updated as more information becomes available.
