GREAT NORTHERN PENINSULA AND SOUTHERN LABRADOR, N.L. – Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro workers across the Great Northern Peninsula and in Southern Labrador showed solidarity with a colleague on Wednesday morning, June 6.
Members of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 1615 union organized protests on behalf of a suspended NL Hydro employee based out of St. Anthony.
Disciplinary action was taken against the individual, an apprentice line worker, after an accident along Route 430 this past April.
The individual was behind the wheel when a NL Hydro truck tipped over at Green Island Cove on the Great Northern Peninsula.
The employee was suspended for three weeks without pay and will be relocated to Mary’s Harbour in August.
The protests were held, prior to operating hours from 7 a.m. to 8 a.m., at NL Hydro stations in St. Anthony, Flower’s Cove, Port Saunders, Roddickton, L’Anse au Loup and Mary’s Harbour.
According to the IBEW Local 1615 union, the worker passed a drug and alcohol test and told the truth about the incident.
Therefore, it believes management’s decision was unwarranted. It wants the employee to be put back to work and to remain in St. Anthony.
The union went ahead with the protests after its request to meet with the company was declined.
A union representative told the Northern Pen this is just one of many issues ongoing between the union and the management of Transmission and Rural Operations (TRO) Northern – which covers the Great Northern Peninsula and Southern Labrador.
UPDATE: Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro has since emailed the Northern Pen.
"We take all incidents very seriously and are working with the employee and the union to provide support and ensure safe work practices moving forward," its statement read.
stephen.roberts@northernpen.ca
