Union officials sit down with local MP over privatization of cleaning jobs at CFB Kingston

Officials with the Union for National Defence Employees are campaigning to protect middle-class jobs on CFB Kingston. Cleaning jobs in particular are at risk after the federal government has begun the process to contract out nearly 100 positions on the base.

“They’ve already decided to take roughly another 10-12 buildings away from us in January, so it is a lot quicker than what they said,” says Pauline Woodcock, a cleaner for 18 years on the base. She tells Global News, the move has been swift and their fear is that people will lose good-paying jobs, with others working more hours.

“We’re all over-worked, we’re over-tired — sometimes, you’ll end up doing five buildings instead of two. It’s hard when you’re not being replaced.”

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The Union for National Defence Employees is upset after they say the federal government plans to privatize unionized cleaning positions at CFB Kingston.

Members with the union and the Public Service Alliance of Canada met with MP for Kingston and the Islands, Mark Gerretsen, on Tuesday. They sat down to voice their concerns about the move to phase out the full-time jobs on the base. Gerretsen says he plans to take their concerns to the defence minister.

“It’s important to figure out why the base is choosing to start to contract out their custodial staff,” Gerretsen said at a press conference on Tuesday.

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“We need to try and figure out if there are other ways this can be managed with different funding opportunities.”

Union angry as CFB Kingston cleaning jobs to be privatized:

1:04 Union concerned about future of unionized cleaning jobs at CFB Kingston

He says the action was already proven to not work at the Royal Military College in Kingston. Back in the ‘90s, they made the choice to contract out their workers as well, but reversed that decision after finding the model didn’t work.

“RMC for example, used to be contracted out and now they switched back to in-house. I think it’s important to figure out why these moves are being made, so that we can see if it is in the best interest for the base.”

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Local 641 president of the Union, Rej Bruneau says nearly 100 jobs would be lost through attrition.

“Basically this whole base, which consists of roughly 80 buildings, will eventually be cleaned out by contractors as opposed to public servants.”

His union represents cleaning staff who work in Canadian Forces Bases around the country. Bruneau says the move contradicts what the Trudeau Liberals promised when they were elected.

“PM Trudeau quoted in his platform that he wants to keep the public service as friendly and be friendly to us, and this is in no way friendly to us.”

Bruneau says the swift measure is much faster than they expected.

“The union is seeing an accelerated rate to this. We’re actually seeing that this was planned over 10 years. But the figures are being escalated and contractors will take a stronger hold, quicker than we originally thought,” Bruneau said.

“People in the community, spend money here, get involved in the community, live here in the city of Kingston.”

In a statement released to Global News from the Department of National Defence, officials said their goal is to maintain quality of care for the base.

“We are confident that site support services will continue to be provided in the most efficient and professional manner in order to guarantee adaptable and reliable facilities and infrastructure for our personnel.”

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The action has been taken at other Canadian Forces Bases around the country. Seven unionized cleaners were given notice at CFB Greenwood in Nova Scotia, with their positions ending next month.

A letter signed by the Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan, stated the cuts were due to financial pressures. But in an email statement to Global News, from CFB Kingston Base Commander Colonel Kirk Gallinger, he says it was not implemented as a cost cutting measure.

“CFB Kingston decided to move in this direction to increase flexibility in meeting cleaning requirements as the needs of the base change.”

The commander goes on to say the funding currently set aside for cleaning positions will be reinvested into new full-time public service jobs. In addition to this there will be options for those who want to continue in another field.

“There is a civilian training in place for those that do wish to pursue new skill sets to move to different positions in the public service.”

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Bruneau said officials with the Union for National Defence Employees and the Public Service Alliance of Canada are meeting with MP Mark Gerretsen on Tuesday. Bruneau says their goal is to pitch an alternative business plan to the government, in hopes of changing their mind.

“We’re hoping that our business case with public service will keep the standard up, pride in the work, will keep a safe work place and good living wages in the city of Kingston.”