Nearly a dozen employees at Sarnia’s Blue Water Bridge are out of the job. According to a release from the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC), unionized custodial employees at the Blue Water Bridge in Sarnia have been replaced with a private contractor, GDI Integrated Facility Services (GDI). A collective agreement between the Federal Bridge Corporation Limited (FBCL) and PSAC Local 501 dated Nov. 7, 2023 compensated custodial staff between $22.56/hour and $28.26/hour depending on years of experience (with additional increases available following that maximum). Hiring a contractor also means that the FBCL will not have to cover leaves of absence, sick leave, benefits and other premiums out of pocket. GDI is an international cleaning company with offices across Canada and the United States that provides services ranging from building management, to disinfection services, to office cleaning services. “These workers weren’t replaced because the work disappeared. They were replaced because FBCL chose to contract it out,” reads a statement from PSAC. “At a time when families are facing rising costs and economic uncertainty, secure employment has never been more important. When employers contract out bargaining unit work instead of retaining unionized employees, they undermine collective bargaining and weaken the workplace protections workers have fought to secure.” A statement provided to CTV News from the Federal Bridge Corporation said implementing the strategic decision to permanently transition its custodial services at the Blue Water Bridge to a specialized external provider, FBCL worked within the framework of the Collective Agreement. The statement went on to say, following an internal meeting 10 (100 per cent) voluntary resolution was achieved, with all employees accepting an enhanced, voluntary separation package. Notably, 50 per cent of the transitioning employees chose to retire directly, supported by lifetime, 100 per cent employer-paid health and dental benefits. FBCL confirmed that at this time there are no plans to outsource any other positions at the bridge.
