Garbage union lashes out against privatization plans

[Blue_Tires]

The union representing Toronto's garbage collectors lashed out at a plan to privatize the city's services on Thursday, warning that the public was being misled and would end up in worse shape if the plan is approved.

Mark Ferguson, CUPE Local 416 president, said a report that suggested privatizing collection on the west side of the city would save millions of dollars was untrue and said the cost of Toronto's public garbage collection system was among the lowest in the province.

‘This administration is trying to rush through a contract to the private sector under the cover of darkness and the taxpayers don't even realize the risks that are at play," Ferguson told a press conference on Thursday.

Ferguson was responding to the release of a report earlier in the week, which recommended privatizing garbage for 165,000 homes west of Yonge Street.

The report suggested cutting about 300 jobs and estimated savings of about $8 million a year.

Coun. Denzil Minnan-Wong, chair of the public works committee, has promised the change will not result in any service cuts or changes to the city's environmental initiatives.

http://toronto.ctv.ca/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20110421/garbage-union-contract-report-110421/20110421/?hub=TorontoNewHome

[DCKit]

1. "The devil you know...." and all that.

A comparison to other cities where they've already gone private should clear that up pretty fast.

[midnight]

2. K&R Scott Walker replaced union security guards with private co.

under the guise of saving money.... It has ended up costing the co. more money.