City hall safety issues ignored?

Another Winnipeg workplace — this time the seat of civic government — is under a cloud of security concerns as the city’s largest union considers the next step of a grievance over staff safety at city hall.

The Canadian Union of Public Employees Local 500 filed the grievance about city hall in February 2024, noting staff had reported experiencing verbal abuse, racist remarks, threats and harassment at the property.

“The grievance is still open (now) because they haven’t shown us that there’s been any kind of adequate solution… We’re thinking if (the city hasn’t) done anything to redress (this), maybe we’ve got to move to the next step of the grievance process,” said Gord Delbridge, president of CUPE Local 500.

Delbridge said the union is discussing what its next step would be.

CUPE had held the matter “in abeyance” for some time but fears progress has fallen short, he said. Delbridge cited a recent bear spray assault on a security guard in the city hall courtyard as one example of continued threats.

“This could be one of our members next… These kinds of things can happen but you’ve got (to have) the appropriate (safety) provisions put in place,” said Delbridge.

The bear spray attack occurred shortly before 3 p.m. on Sept. 8. Winnipeg Police Service confirmed the victim, a man in his 30s, was treated at the scene and did not require further medical assistance.

“This could be one of our members next… These kinds of things can happen but you’ve got (to have) the appropriate (safety) provisions put in place.”

CUPE members who work at city hall include some clerical staff, building cleaners and maintenance staff, as well as other employees who can be called to work there on occasion.

The concern follows the “grey-listing” of the province’s largest hospital, Health Sciences Centre, and a slaying, assaults and a suicide at the Millennium Library.

At HSC, Manitoba Nurses Union members voted 94 per cent in favour of “grey-listing” the facility, following a spate of sexual assaults in and around the hospital and violent incidents in the ER waiting room. The move seeks to discourage staffers from taking jobs there due to safety concerns.

Last week, the province announced funding for two Winnipeg Police Service officers to patrol the HSC ER 24-7, in addition to adding five weapon-detection scanners at its main public entrances.

At the Millennium Library, security scanners at the entrance after a slaying in 2022 were introduced and fencing was installed on the fourth floor after a man jumped to his death in August. In that case, CUPE is also demanding action to protect staff.

The union’s complaint initially followed a major security incident at Edmonton City Hall on Jan. 23, 2024, when gunshots were fired and a Molotov cocktail ignited. A 28-year-old man was charged in the incident, while no one was physically hurt.

Around the same time, some Winnipeg city councillors sounded the alarm over local security threats, such as a smashed external window and stalking incidents at city hall.

Coun. Sherri Rollins called for an external security review of city hall at the time. On Monday, she said she’s frustrated by a lack of progress on the matter.

“It’s been years and there’s still not the traction that there needs to be… It’s really important for those (members of the public) that are coming downtown… to be assured that they’re going to be looked after within (the city hall) building and that democracy can still continue,” said Rollins (Fort Rouge-East Fort Garry).

For example, the councillor said she found out about the recent bear spray attack in a Free Press news alert.

“There were basics that weren’t being done, like… a text message to everyone on campus letting them know there was an incident that is being looked after. That did not happen… There is still really glaring omissions on the communication,” she said.

Rollins said a redesign of the city hall lobby was expected to make it easier to monitor everyone who enters the building by now but has yet to be completed.

“Nothing’s happening fast enough, in my opinion… I’m one who would like wands, I’d like metal detectors, I’d like the full gamut.”

Coun. Janice Lukes also called for more security enhancements.

“Nothing’s happening fast enough, in my opinion… I’m one who would like wands, I’d like metal detectors, I’d like the full gamut,” said Lukes (Waverley West).

An increasingly divisive society raises the risk that some heated political debates could escalate into risky encounters, since city council members make decisions on everything from bylaw disputes between neighbours to major development plans, said Lukes.

Mayor Scott Gillingham said city hall has added several effective safety measures since the union grievance was filed in early 2024.

“The city has taken steps to enhance security over the last couple of years, including (key) card access, visitor sign-in, the presence of more security guards and the hiring of … a campus security (lead staff member),” said Gillingham.

The mayor noted some recent meetings at city hall have also been monitored by a larger number of security guards, showing security is ramped up as needed and a plan to respond to crowds is in place.

“We’re trying to find a way to balance making city hall accessible to the public with ensuring that it’s a safe and secure workplace and public place as well,” said Gillingham.

The mayor said key social challenges, such as homelessness and addiction, can also be factors in some crimes, which can affect city hall and all other downtown buildings.

“Part of the challenge we are having around city hall relates to … the fact that people are struggling with addictions and, sometimes, are acting out in unpredictable ways,” he said.

In an email, a city spokesman noted both the council and administration buildings at city hall have controlled public entrances with security staff and key card access, while additional steps are “always” being assessed.

“Internal communication and changes to the entrance at city hall are both areas that we’re actively pursuing,” wrote Kalen Qually.

Delbridge declined to call for specific safety measures to be added, stressing he is not a security expert.

joyanne.pursaga@freepress.mb.ca

X: @joyanne_pursaga