CUPE 1190’s BAD ROADS HOTLINE IS BACK

Fredericton: The Union representing highway workers, CUPE Local 1190, is re-launching its campaign “Bad Roads Hot Line” for the winter.

Daniel Légère, CUPE NB President;  Andy Hardy, CUPE 1190 president; Joey Kelly, CUPE 1190  Sec.Treas; Brian Watson, CUPE 1253 president .

Daniel Légère, CUPE NB President; Andy Hardy, CUPE 1190 president; Joey Kelly, CUPE 1190 Sec.Treas; Brian Watson, CUPE 1253 president .

“We were hoping to shut down the toll-free number but the information we received from the department officials concerning the Winter Maintenance Program clearly indicates that the new Liberal Government do not intend to allocate more resources to the program” said Andy Hardy, President of CUPE Local 1190.

“According to the schedule we received from the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure, we will have less plow operators on the roads this winter.  They will be reduced by 3.  If you take into account last year’s reduction, this season we will have 73 fewer snowplow operators on the roads.”

“Last winter, our members who looked after plowing and maintaining the roads have confronted some harsh winter weather. It’s not officially winter yet and already we have been hit with some major storms.”

“With fewer operators and plows and with equipment breaking down, once again the citizens of this province, especially the ones living in the rural areas, will not get the proper service. Many times last winter, the citizens of this province had to wait to get their roads and streets plowed.”

“When we launched the Bad Roads Hotline – 1-888-874-7198 – our goal was to give New Brunswickers a chance to voice their concerns about slippery roads and poor salting and sanding. We received more than 1,200 calls on our Hotline from concerned New Brunswickers across the province.”

“It wasn’t enough to convince the former government to reverse the cuts he made to the Winter Maintenance Program. Unfortunately so far, the new Liberal Government seems to be following the same path. This is why we are re-launching our Bad Roads

Campaign,” concluded Hardy.