Hydro Ottawa head urges sides to continue talks privately amid union strike

Hydro Ottawa union workers remain on the picket lines for almost two weeks as the strike continues.

Now, the head of Hydro Ottawa is hoping the two sides can continue contract talks.

Bryce Conrad, the chief executive officer (CEO) and president of Hydro Ottawa told The Sam Laprade Show on Tuesday, July 11, that he sent a letter to the union on Monday, pushing for both sides to meet at the table rather through the media.

“For our part and I think we’ve been consistent, we’ve (said) that we’re not going to engage with negotiations via the public,” he said. “You want to negotiate? Let’s sit down at the table and have a conversation like adults.”

The union, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), made up of 390 union workers, are calling for better wages, health benefits as well as workplace safety. Conrad however pushed back on the claims of a ‘toxic workplace’ from the union.

Mike Hall, a business representative with Local 636 IBEW, told CityNews Ottawa on Friday, July 7, that talks between the union and Hydro Ottawa had stalled.

On May 25, Hydro Ottawa said they provided the union with a final offer, adding that their latest offer addresses their employees’ request for wage increases as well as increases in benefits, premiums and allowances.

Hydro Ottawa then provided a revised offer to the union on June 22, and the offer was presented by the IBEW to employees but it was followed by a ratification strike vote on June 27 prompting strike action for hundreds of union workers.

Union workers plan to picket outside of Ottawa City Hall on Wednesday, July 12.

With files from CityNews Ottawa’s Chris Kurys.