Barrie Hydro and PowerStream work out key issues with PWU and IBEW
SIMCOE COUNTY & YORK REGION, ON – The Power Workers’ Union (PWU) and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) have successfully reached agreements with Barrie Hydro and PowerStream on a number of key issues that may directly impact the unionized workforce in the event a merger takes place.

Job security, relocation of positions, and seniority rights are the three main priorities that the parties have agreed upon in order to have these issues well defined in advance of a pending merger. The parties also agreed to work collaboratively throughout the transition period following a merger to mitigate the potential impact on staff.

“Past experiences have taught us that both labour and human resource issues can become very complex in any merger or acquisition,” Brian Bentz, PowerStream President and CEO explained. “When you consider the size of the amalgamated workforce it is imperative for all parties to work together in this regard. To that end, both utilities have been working with their respective unions over the last two months to ensure that issues which may arise as a result of a potential merger are addressed.”

Mark Henderson, President and CEO of Barrie Hydro agreed that the collaborative strategy negotiated by the parties is a positive sign of things to come. “As the pending merger now enters the approval phase, we are pleased the labour issues are well in-hand,” Henderson added. “The agreement we now have in place is a testament to the excellent working relationships both utilities have with their respective unions.”
Barry Brown, Business Representative of IBEW Local Union 636, the organization representing PowerStream’s unionized employees, agreed that the working relationship the unions have with their respective utility was a key factor in reaching an agreement.

“The IBEW has been successful in negotiating two collective agreements with PowerStream in the past four years since the merger of Markham Hydro, Hydro Vaughan, Richmond Hill Hydro and Aurora Hydro, it does not surprise me that we were able to hammer out an agreement on key labour issues prior to any merger of the two utilities,” Brown pointed out.

Mel Hyatt, Vice President of the PWU, was also pleased with results of the negotiations. “Job security, relocation of positions and seniority rights are major concerns for the employees,” he said. “We have proactively negotiated an agreement that will minimize negative impacts on employees in the event that a merger is agreed upon.”

PowerStream is the third largest local electricity distribution company in Ontario, serving more than 240,000 customers in four municipalities. Barrie Hydro is the Province’s 12th largest utility with more than 70,000 customers in seven service areas. An amalgamation of the two utilities will create the second largest local electricity company in Ontario.