Staff shortage could mean delayed city arena openings, union says

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This article was published 19/08/2022 (1189 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Winnipeg’s largest civic employees’ union is concerned that a shortage of recreation department workers could delay the opening of some city arenas in the fall.

Gord Delbridge, president of the Canadian Union of Public Employees Local 500 raised the possibility Friday, just over a week after the city confirmed 19 of 79 wading pools did not open for the 2022 season because of a staff shortage.

The same group of employees maintains both wading pools and arenas, and there are vacancies that have not been filled.

“As we’re seeing right across the city, recruitment and retention issues are putting public services at risk and the impact would be significant (even) if we only had a few arenas that don’t open, because that puts a delay in the hockey season and other recreation programs that are taking place as well (such as) learn to skate (and) figure skating (classes),” Delbridge said.

The arena work includes ensuring safe levels of refrigeration-related chemicals that can prove toxic if they’re leaked at high concentrations; only candidates with a specialized skill set can be hired, he added.

“The arena attendants all have to be qualified refrigeration engineers, so not just anyone can walk in off the street and get one of those jobs. There (are) multiple certifications that they have.… It’s critical that you have certified personnel for the safety and patrons’ well-being,” he said.

An ammonia leak at a rink in Fernie, B.C. killed three people in 2017, highlighting the importance of properly maintaining such systems, he said, adding he believes the city is also short on mechanics to service ice resurfacing machines, which could also delay the preparation of arena ice.

“The work that’s being done is quite extensive leading up to the opening days, so it requires a lot of work and a lot of manpower,” he said.

Delbridge has repeatedly lobbied the city to raise wages, arguing improvements are needed to better attract and maintain staff in the current competitive labour market.

“CUPE is working diligently on trying to address some of these service-delivery concerns by trying to address the issue of low wages for mechanics, for maintenance staff, for all city staff,” he said.

The city says it is short three arena attendants out of 26 overall positions. However, spokesman Adam Campbell said officials are “not anticipating any significant delays to opening all arenas for the season” at this time.

In an emailed statement, Campbell said city-operated arenas typically open on staggered dates for pre-season ice, scheduled to take place between Aug. 23 and Oct. 15 this year.

“This staggered opening allows for some flexibility in ensuring we have sufficient staff coverage, as we work to fill these positions,” he wrote, adding that finding and retaining qualified arena attendants is challenging due to an industry-wide shortage, as well as new certification requirements.

City officials did not confirm whether a mechanic shortage may also be occurring.

Coun. Sherri Rollins, the chairwoman of council’s protection, community services and parks committee, said the city must adjust to the high demand for skilled workers and should review its wage rates.

“I want the city to be an attractive employer for these jobs because I want services for Winnipeggers,” said Rollins.

While she believes it’s too soon to determine how opening dates will be affected by the staff shortage, the councillor said the city must make a concerted effort to attract and retain arena attendants.

“In this case specifically… these are skilled jobs that are competitive so we have to be competitive, too,” she said. “I’m watching, really closely, the information coming out of the Bank of Canada and others about what’s happening with wages (and) salaries relative to inflation. I’m not alone in the concern that there are readjustments that need to be looked at.”

Rollins said mechanic positions have been challenging to fill since long before the pandemic and the current shortage of skilled workers.

Joyanne.pursaga@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @joyanne_pursaga