City of Hamilton and striking water employees reach tentative agreement

The city of Hamilton and the Hamilton Ontario Water Employees Association (HOWEA) have reached a tentative agreement following ongoing negotiations between the two parties.

The terms of this deal are not known just yet, and it still needs approval from both the union and city council.

Over 50 workers at Hamilton’s water and wastewater plants have been on strike since the middle of May — and have turned down prior contract offers from the city.

One of the union’s main priorities has been pay equity, and seeing a new wage schedule put in place.

The city says their offer to the striking water workers at the end of last month addressed many of those main concerns.

Since the strike began, union members have been voicing their contract concerns on picket lines in Hamilton, including at city hall.

Workers at one point disrupted a council meeting here, prompting officials to take a recess.

The strike has also caused delays to certain city services, including public transit and waste, green bin and yard waste collection.

At the end of June, Hamilton Street Railway officials took to social media to warn riders of delays due to strike activity at the Mountain Transit Centre.

While these workers have been on strike, the city has worked to maintain delivery of water and wastewater services. The city posted on social media last week to inform residents in wards 1, 2, 12, and 13 waste collection would be delayed.

“The hard work and resilience demonstrated by our Public Works staff throughout this labour disruption has been truly inspiring,” said Jackie Kennedy, Acting General Manager, Public Works.

“Thank you for stepping up and taking on additional duties, ensuring that essential water, wastewater and stormwater services to our community continued without interruption,” Kennedy added.

HOWEA members will vote on ratification on July 9. Pending results of that vote, City Council will meet to finalize ratification.

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