Seasonal city staff refusing to return to work at CampTO over COVID-19 safety concerns

Toronto.com
July 9, 2020
Jenna Moon

As many as 270 seasonal workers with Toronto parks have opted not to return to work this summer due to safety concerns stemming from COVID-19.

Staff from the city’s Parks, Forestry and Recreation division have raised concerns to the Star about a lack of personal protective equipment (PPE) and training on how to properly use it, while distribution of PPE has been uneven across city programs.

Recreation staff have also said it can be nearly impossible to practise physical distancing properly, given the requirements of their jobs.

A City of Toronto spokesperson confirmed that approximately 270 camp staff have declined their summer work assignments, noting part-time employees who have previously worked at camp programs have the option of accepting or declining shifts.

“To help reduce the spread of COVID-19, CampTO programs will meet health guidelines designed in consultation with Toronto Public Health and in alignment with provincial health guidelines for day camps,” the city said in a statement to the Star.

“Guidelines include lower ratios and capacity, physical distancing, mandatory health screening and enhanced facility cleaning.”

According to city guidelines, staff and campers alike must be screened via a temperature check and fill a form each day. Face masks are mandatory indoors and staff have been provided with PPE, the city said.

However, the widespread refusal of city employees to return to work indicates “that the city needs to take the concerns of its employees more seriously,” said Dave Mitchell, president of CUPE Local 79, the union representing City of Toronto workers.

“The city had months to prepare for a return to work, yet the provision of personal protective equipment, proper training, and work site inspections were not adequate across many of its programs and work locations.”

He alleged that health and safety representatives requested pre-inspections of facilities before staff returned to work, but employees have returned to find broken equipment and safety issues.

“Instead of addressing the legitimate health and safety concerns of these employees, the city initially took an aggressive step by threatening to remove them from their Emergency Leave status and take away their right to return to their positions post COVID-19,” Mitchell said.

“Thankfully, after some productive talks, the city has had a change of heart and is working with us to try and address many of the issues presented by our members.”

The city’s camp program is seeing reduced enrollment compared with years past. Janie Romoff, the city’s general manager for parks, forestry and recreation, said CampTO is currently at about 70 per cent capacity through the summer.

“Some weeks are more full than others,” she said, adding in some locations there have been little interest and programs have been cancelled.

The city has adjusted programming based on where interest is.