A Cornwall labour leader is suggesting what he considers a disturbing national trend is eliminating well-paying jobs in the city.
Mario Leclerc, Publlic Service Alliance of Canada eastern region president, said public-service jobs are moving increasingly to part-time or “term” workers who can be easily eliminated when times get tough.
“We call it precarious employment,” said Leclerc, who pointed to several dozen well-paid workers at federal government facilities in Cornwall at both the Parks Canada and Service Canada offices who are out of a job, or working elsewhere.
Leclerc said many people he has worked with have traded well-paying jobs with no security, for less money with a promise of more security.
“Any time we hear of ‘term’ of part-time jobs…that’s one of the union’s biggest fights,” said Leclerc. “People are looking for security when they are raising a family.”
The call centre on Campbell Drive currently has staffing in the neighbourhood of 111, said Leclerc, the vast majority being part-time people. That’s about 35 fewer than used to be employed there.
“In my view, securing those jobs will only make a better future for their families and a stronger local economy,” Leclerc said.
The face of the local Service Canada office continues to change in Cornwall. Leclerc said 33 staff from the office in the Chevrier Building on Montreal Road are being relocated to the federal government call centre on Campbell Drive.
