A union official doubts an order to resolve safety issues at the Green Electron electricity plant near Courtright will accomplish anything. Ontario's Ministry of Labour issued stop work orders Thursday in response to a flood of complaints about unsafe working conditions and the site remained shut down Monday. Labour Minister Kevin Flynn has directed the Labour Relations Division to reach out to both parties to work toward a resolution. Mick Cataford, Business Manager of Local 530 of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, says Eastern Power has not addressed concerns in the past, despite the ministry issuing 27 stop work directives since the start of construction in 2013. [audio mp3="http://blackburnnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Cataford-2.mp3"][/audio] About 200 local contractors staged information picket lines last week after having also withdrawn their services in April because of safety concerns. Company officials have not been available for comment.
Workers picket outside Green Electron Power Plant Aug 25, 2015. BlackburnNews.com Photo courtesy Jake Thingstad.
