This screen shot of a video sent to paNOW shows what striking workers say is Mayor Greg Dionne's pickup coming in contact with workers near city hall.

By Susan McNeil

Strike at City Hall - tensions rising

Tensions escalate at picket line at P.A. city hall

Oct 19, 2023 | 4:00 PM

Tensions are escalating between the striking city workers in Prince Albert and management and city council.

Yesterday, the city said in a statement that it was concerned about some of the behaviour on the picket line.

“CUPE picketers continue to engage in disruptive behaviour and intimidation tactics directed at members of the public and City Management, particularly at the EA Rawlinson Centre and City Hall.

Picketers are blocking vehicles from entering parking lots, blowing horns in the faces of seniors, posting derogatory signs and disturbing downtown businesses and customers by playing loud music and blowing horns non-stop,” said the release.

When contacted by paNOW, Prince Albert Police said they had no reports of issues but would be monitoring the situation.

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Today, the CUPE 882 released a video that they say was being driven by Mayor Greg Dionne as it tried to leave the city hall parking lot.

Strikers are seen standing in front of the burgundy coloured vehicle and preventing it from moving, despite the continuous honking of the horn.

At one point, the trucks bumper comes in contact with two of the strikers.

“Mayor Dionne’s actions are creating a challenging relationship with city workers,” said Mira Lewis, CUPE National Representative. “We are saddened and disappointed that Mayor Dionne felt the need to push through the picket line regardless of the safety of city workers in front of him. His actions further erode the relationship and clearly illustrates a lack of respect.”

The union says the incident has been reported to police.

paNOW has reached out to Mayor Dionne for comment but did not hear back prior to publication.

That was not the union’s only complaint.

It also says that the city posted the personal cell phone number of regional CUPE director Ann Iwanchuk and instructed the public to call her with complaints.

paNOW has not seen or confirmed this post.

CUPE said that two days before the post, they had sent a delegation to council to implore council to treat workers with respect.

The delegates spoke for a total of five minutes and were accompanied by several dozen striking workers in the gallery and in the foyer of city hall.

“This employer continues to show a complete disregard for the human impact of their behaviour. Our members have faced months of verbal threats, bullying, and mean-spirited actions from the employer. We are in conversation with the impacted members about next steps,” reads the union’s statement.

Workers have been on strike since September 11 and were asking for a 12 per cent raise at the time while the city was offering 11 per cent.

Monday evening, workers voted to reject the city’s offer.

READ MORE: https://panow.com/2023/09/18/mediator-appointed-as-p-a-inside-workers-strike-enters-second-week/

https://panow.com/2023/08/11/p-a-inside-city-workers-claim-no-desire-to-go-on-strike-want-to-get-back-to-negotiating-table/#:~:text=They%20officially%20started%20job%20action,desire%20to%20go%20on%20strike.

https://panow.com/2023/09/13/striking-city-of-p-a-workers-ask-province-for-special-mediator/

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susan.mcneil@pattisonmedia.com