Replacement worker vehicle hits Monterey Place picketers again in Calgary
CALGARY – A replacement worker hit locked-out employees with her vehicle again this morning at the Monterey Place seniors care facility, the second such incident this week.
Two members were struck by the vehicle. There doesn’t appear to be any serious injuries, but the members were “very shook up” by the incident and taken to hospital for examination, said Alberta Union of Provincial Employees Negotiator John Wevers.
“The driver was leaving from her shift in a hurry and didn’t bother to slow down as she approached the picket line. She only braked when it was almost to late to avoid seriously injuring someone,” said Wevers.
The same woman clipped four people on the picket line with her vehicle yesterday. Both incidents were reported to the Calgary Police Service.
Immediately after the latest incident AUPE met with the employer to draft a picket line protocol to help ensure everyone’s safety.
“Alberta labour statutes give our members the right to delay replacement workers’ vehicles as they enter and leave the worksite. Unfortunately, this employee has not shown any respect for the law or other people’s health,” said Wevers.
“After the first incident yesterday we expected Monterey Place’s owner, Arif Amlani, would immediately take measures to ensure the replacement workers he hired obeyed the law. After today’s incident, we took measures into our own hands to establish a protocol with the employer to protect the safety of the locked out employees,” said Wevers.
30
For more information, contact:
John Wevers, Negotiator, AUPE – 780-238-4767 (cell)
Mark Wells, Senior Communications Advisor, AUPE – 780-930-3311 or 780-904-0688 (cell)